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[BRARY 


THE  UNIVERSITY 


OF  CALIFORNIA 


LOS  ANGELES 


GLEANINGS 


TOWARDS    THE 


ANNALS    OF   AUGHTON 


Of  this  Book  400  copies  have  been  printed, 
and  this  is  No. 


PARISH  CHURCH. 

(North  As  feet). 


GLEANINGS 


TOWARDS    THK 


ANNALS  OF  AUGHTON, 

NKAK   ORMSKIRK. 

A    COMPILATION    ATTEMPTED    BY 

G.     COULTHARD     NEWSTEAD. 


ILLUSTRATED   BY 
G.    HALL    NEALE    AND    THOMAS    MEDCALF. 


A    SPECIAL    CHAPTER     OX    THE    ARCHITECTURE    OF    THE    TWO    CHURCHES 
IS   CONTRIBUTED    BY    THOMAS   MEDCALF. 


"  Every   man's  concern   with   the   place   where  he   lives  has  something  more   in  it   than   the 
mere   amount   of  rates  and   taxes  that   he   has   to   pay." 

Toulmin  Smith. 


LIVERPOOL : 
C.   &r   H.   RATCLIFFE,  PRINTERS  AND  PUBLISHERS,  4,  RUMKORD  STREET. 

1893. 


PREFACE. 


following  fragmentary  gleanings  do  not  aim  at  any  literary 
merit  whatever.  They  were  originally  collected  simply  for 
my  own  amusement,  without  any  idea  of  ever  publishing 
them  in  their  present  form.  A  rummage  in  our  Parish 
chest  gave  many  interesting  items,  and  it  was  at. the  suggestion  of  one 
or  two  Aughtonians  that  I  have  ventured  to  put  my  "  Gleanings  "  into 
some  kind  of  consecutive  order. 

My  best  thanks  are  due  to  Rev.  C.  W.  MARKHAM,  for  his  universal 
courtesy  in  allowing  me  access  to  the  Church  registers  and  other  parochial 
books  ;  also  to  JAMES  BKOMLKV,  Esq.,  of  Lathom,  who  favoured  me  with 
excerpts  from  his  deeds  connected  with  Aughton,  &c.  ;  and  to  others 
who  have  taken  an  interest  in  this  amateurish  compilation. 

G.  C.  N. 


SWANPOOL  LANE, 

AUGHTON,  May,  1893. 


908660 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

GENERAL  GLEANINGS    .       .  l 

THE  RECTORS       .  45 

THE  REGISTERS     ...  ?i 

BRIEFS    ....  95 

CHURCHWARDENS'  ACCOUNTS       .  103 

OVERSEERS'  ACCOUNTS I25 

CONSTABLES'  ACCOUNTS       .  ^35 

WAYWARDENS'  ACCOUNTS H5 

ON  THE  ARCHITECTURE  OF  THE  TWO  CHURCHES  153 

LIST  OF  SUBSCRIBERS l69 


GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 


GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 
1086.     COMPLETION    OK   THE    DOMESDAY    SURVEY. 

UP     LlTHERLAND     IN      AuGHTON. 

'HE  particulars  of  the  boundary  of  these  two  manors  present 
great  difficulty  in  solution.      According  to  the  Domesday 


survey  of  the  land  between  the  River  Mersey  and  Kibble, 
we  find  Uctred,  a  Saxon  Thane,  held  Acketun  (Aughton)  ; 
that  there  was  a  carucate  of  land, — worth  thirty-two  pence,  which 
would  be  equal  to  405.  of  our  present  money.  He  also  held  Liderlant, 
which  also  contained  a  carucate  of  land  of  the  same  value.  This  carucate 
of  land  was  an  uncertain  measure,  but  may  be  taken  to  include  60  acres 
capable  of  cultivation.  Litherland  here  mentioned  must  not  be  con- 
founded with  the  other  of  the  same  name  in  Sephton  parish,  which  was 
held  at  the  conquest  by  one  Elmaer.  When  William  the  Conqueror 
divided  the  lands  of  England,  he  gave  Earl  Roger  of  Poictou,  third  son  of 
Roger  de  Montgomery,  the  whole  of  Lancashire,  &c  ,  but  he  forfeited  his 
estates  for  conspiring  to  dethrone  the  King,  which,  on  his  final  expulsion, 
reverted  to  Henry  I.  Up  Litherland  would  be  subjected  to  the  same 
changes  as  that  of  Aughton  until  the  reign  of  Henry  II.,  when  the  King 
granted  this  manor,  along  with  others,  to  Warin  de  Lancaster,  holding  the 
office  of  his  Falconer,  and  to  his  son,  Henry  Fitzwarin,  John  granted  a 
confirmation  of  title  whilst  Earl  of  Morton,  which  he  again  confirmed  on 
his  accession  to  the  throne.  But  in  a  subsequent  charter,  in  the  9th  year 
of  his  reign,  28th  August,  1207,  the  King  retained  Up  Litherland  and 
gave  Fitzwarin  other  property  in  exchange,  to  wit,  Ravenesmoles,  Ainsdale, 
&c.,  for  Liverpool  and  Up  Litherland.  King  John  would,  no  doubt, 
retain  it  with  a  view  of  adding  it  to  his  forest  of  West  Derby  ;  in  fact,  the 
whole  country  between  Mersey  and  Ribble  would  be  a  wilderness  of 
woods,  moors,  and  mosses  ;  hawking  grounds  we  know  existed,  for  we  are 


GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 


told  in  Domesday  there  was  a  "  wood  two  miles  and  two  series  of  hawks." 
Up  Litherland  comprised  the  north-west  parts  of  our  present  parish, 
joining  Halsall  (we  read  of  Lytherland  juxta  Halsall  in  1321)  and  contained 
the  greater  portion  of  common  or  waste  land.  As  a  mere  suggestion  as 
to  the  derivation  of  the  name,  Lither,  in  a  glossary  of  northern  words,  is 
rendered  as  signifying  idle,  inactive,  that  would  be  uncultivated  land  ;  the 
same  meaning  is  to  be  found  in  the  case  of  Liverpool  (frequently  spelt 
Litherpol  in  ancient  documents)  as  meaning  idle  or  stagnant  pool.  At 
the  enclosure  of  the  Commons  of  Aughton  and  Up  Litherland,  in  1813, 
Colonel  Plumbe-Tempest,  the  Lord  of  the  Manor,  asserted  "  that  the  lords' 
"  space  was  one-sixteenth  of  the  whole,  that  the  greater  portion  was  in 
u  the  smaller  manor  of  Up  Litherland  and  ought  to  have  been  apportioned 
"  accordingly  ;  but,  unfortunately,  only  two  very  old  men  could  be  found 
u  who  recollected  the  perambulation  of  the  boundaries,  and  they  differing 
"  in  some  portions  of  the  line  between  the  two  manors,  the  Commissioners 
"  for  the  Enclosure  would  not  divide  the  commons  to  the  separate  manors, 
u  but  merged  the  whole  into  one." 


The  late  Mr.  Richard  Parr  was 
once  engaged  with  others  in  walking 
the  boundaries  of  this  manor,  but 
they  came  to  a  stop  "  like  a  pack 
of  hounds  all  at  fault,"  owing  to 
the  removal  of  the "  mere  stones" 
by  the  farmers  ;  the  last  stone, 
which  was  a  feature  at  the  four  lane 
ends  in  Swanpool  Lane  has  now 
literally  sunk  out  of  sight,  having 
been  buried  there  in  1890.  The 
very  name  of  Up  Litherland  has 
almost  become  obsolete,  but  the 
Hall  or  House  bearing  the  name  is 
still  in  existence,  occupied  by  Mr. 


UP  LITHERLAND    HALL   GATES. 


GENERAL   GLEANINGS. 


Rigby,  situated  in  Goe  Hill  Lane,  bearing  the  dates  and  initials  of 
I.W.M.  1674-1686.  In  1751  it  was  designated  "Mr.  Stanley's  house, 
commonly  called  Liddertherland,"  in  connection  with  three  roods  of 
paving  been  required,  pointing  to  the  fact  that  the  use  of  the  name 
was  then  on  the  decline.  Up  to  the  year  1842  the  Constables'  accounts 
are  signed  J.  Plumbe-Tempest,  sole  lord  of  the  manor  of  Up  Lither- 
land.  The  field  names  are  now  the  only  link  left  to  remind  us  of  this 
lost  hamlet,  bearing  the  titles  of  Rough,  Lower,  Round,  Father,  &c., 
Litherland. 

1250.  Deed  of  Joh  Walens  de  Lytherlond  to  Madoc.  Land  near  the 
"  Regia  Via,"  King's  highway. 

1285.  Walter,  son  of  "  Madoc  de  Aghton,"  appears  as  witness  to  a 
Church  Deed. 

{Eland's  Annals  of  Southporf). 

1285.  Adam  le  Fleshener  (Butcher)  of  Aghton  grants  to  Henry  de 
Lytherlond  all  his  land  in  "  Villa  de  Aghton  lying  lengthwise 
"  between  the  Lideyate  road  to  Ormeskirke  and  the  land  of 
"William  Pigin." 

(Ince-Blundell  Charters). 

This  throws  a  light  on  the  origin  of  the  name  of  Pygon's,  or  Piggin's   Hill, 
situated  in  Lydiate. 

1316.  Grant  of  John,  son  of  Symon,  son  of  Mabel,  to  Richard  Walens 
of  10  acres  of  land  in  the  territory  of  Litherland  extending  by 
the  field  called  "  Le  Mahomet's  "  field. 

This  field  must  have  been  so  called  from  the  days  when   the  name  of  the  great 
prophet  was  a  household  word,  and  brings  us  upon  the  tracks  of  the  Crusaders. 

-     Thomas,   son    of   Walter    de   Aghton,   conveyed   to    Richard    de 
Lythyrland  a  certain  meadow  called  "  le   Platte  Medowe "  in 
Villa  de  Aghton  for  a  term  of  9  years. 
Among  the  witnesses  to  this  deed  appears  Richard  le  Walsche. 


GENERAL   GLEANINGS. 


1418.  5  Henry  V. — Mabilla,  Widow  of  Roger  Bradeshagh,  settles  upon 
her  son  Richard  the  manor  of  Up  Litherland  and  all  rents, 
&c.,  except  a  windmill  in  the  said  manor. 

This  undoubtedly  would  refer  to  Whimbrick  Mill,  better  known  as  Aughton 
Moss  Mill,  situated  on  the  most  elevated  part  of  the  Moss,  and  would  be  built  by  the 
owner  of  the  waste.  See  1537-1598. 


1450. 


1500. 


WHIMBRICK    OR   AUGHTON    MOSS   MILL. 

Lawrence  de  Ireland  sanctions  and  ratifies  an  agreement  made  by 
Robert  Wolfall,  otherwise  called  Lydegate,  in  favour  of  Henry 
de  Scarisbrick  and  John  de  Aughton,  granting  to  them 
messuages  and  lands  in  Villa  de  Lydegate,  on  condition  of 
having  the  services  of  one  reaper  for  one  day  between  St. 
Peter  and  St.  Michael  the  Archangel's  Feast,  on  the  2nd 
day  of  October,  in  the  29th  year  of  the  reign  of  Henry  VI. 

28  November,  "  The  fifteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  King  Henry 
the  Seventh  since  the  conquest." 

Release  and  quit  claim  by  Hugh  Bykerstath  of  Bikerstath  in  the 
County  of  Lane.  gent,  to  Myles  Gerard  of  London,  gent,  for 


GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 


ten  pounds  sterling,  of  his  property  in  12  messuages,  200 
acres  of  land,  100  acres  of  meadow  land,  and  200  acres  of 
pasture,  with  appurtenances  in  Bickerstath  and  Aghton  in 
Com.  Lane. 

1515.     27  February,  6th  year  of  Henry  VIII. — Quit  claim  by  Katherine 
Mosoke  and  Margery  Faldering,  daughters  of  Nicholas  Byker- 
stath  of  Aghton,  to  Myles  Gerard  Esq.  to  all  the  messuages, 
lands  and  tenements  in  Aghton  and  Bykerstath  which  he  had 
purchased  from  Hugh  Bykerstath  their  brother. 
Witnesses,   James    Scaresbreke,    William    Wurthygton,    Hugh 
Aspynwall,    and   others. 

1537.     28  Henry  8. — Chantry  Returns  relative  to  Aughton. 

(The  tenants'  names  are  of  this  date,  the  founders'  much  earlier). 

The  altar  of  Mary  Magdelene,  in  Ormskirk  Church,  was  endowed  by 
Peter  Gararde  with  305.  per  annum  from  the  rents  of  two  cottages 
occupied  by  the  wives  of  Thrastane  Modyc  and  Edmunde  Webster,  and 
one  tenement  held  by  Henrie  Hesket. 

The  altar  of  "  Our  Lady  of  Petie,"  in  the  same  church,  was  endowed 
by  "  Thomas  Atherton,  of  Bickersteth,"  with  rents  of  lands  in  Aughton. 

The  altar  of  "  Our  Lady,"  also  in  Ormskirk,  was  endowed  by  the  first 
Earl  of  Derby  with  £\  i6s.  8d.,  the  annual  rent  of  "one  wyndmylle  " 
(Whimbrick  Mill),  occupied  by  Hugh  Martyndale,  one  tenement  by  the 
wife  of  Richard  Martyndale,  and  one  tenement  in  the  holding  of  John 
Swyfte. 

The  altar  of  "  Our  Lady  "  in  Halsall  Church  had  35.  6d.  per  annum 
from  a  tenement  occupied  u  bye  Hugh  Calderbanke  "  in  Aughton,  and  the 
altar  of  St.  Nicholas,  in  the  same  church,  had  IDS.  per  annum  from  a  2-acre 
field  held  by  John  Spensor  and  a  cottage  by  Tramore  Askewolde.  This 
John  Spencer  was  prosecuted  in  the  Duchy  Court  for  forcible  entry  into 
the  lands  of  the  Chantry,  1553-4,  by  Richard  Halsall,  Rector  of  Halsall, 
during  the  brief  Catholic  revival. 


GENERAL   GLEANINGS. 


1545.     37  Hen.  8. 

Elizabeth  Becansaw,  widow,  Plaintiff  ; 

Robert  Thruston,  otherwise  Robert  Becansaw,  Defendant. 

Concerning  tortious  possession  of  lands  and  appurtenances  Middle- 
wood  in  Aughton. 

(Calendar  of  Pleadings.) 

1549.     3  Edward  6. 

Gabriel  Heskethe,  Plaintiff  ; 
Richard  Molyneux,  Defendant. 

MATTER  IN  DISPUTE.  —  Detention  of  Title  Deeds  to  lands,  tenements, 
&c.,  called  Erode  Hay,  Marled  Heye,  The  Four  Averells, 
Ryebrodehey,  The  Akers,  Pyggill,  The  Potter's  Hey,  The 
Fynche  Hay,  The  White  Shawe,The  Cutts  Hayes,  The  Parson's 
Hayes,  The  Mareworde  Heis,  The  Whightshawwourrall,  The 
Boncks  Heye,  and  the  Advowson  and  Patronage  of  the  Parish 
Ch.  of  Aughton. 

(Calendar  of  Pleadings). 

I55I-  25  April.  —  William  Bradeshagh  of  Uplitherland  conveys  to  James 
Scaresbreck,  Esq.,  his  manors  of  Uplytherland  and  Aghton, 
who  held  the  property  until  1575.  (See  1583). 


T   &  2  Pnil-  &  Mary. 

David  Eden  and  Alice,  his  wife,  Plaintiffs  ; 
Robert  Farclogh,  Defendant. 

Concerning  interruption  of  right  of  way  thro  Fynch  Hey,  Potter's 
Hey,  and  Averell  Closes,  to  a  Close  called  Shawe  Wyrrall. 

(Calendar  of  Pleadings). 

1556.     Phil.  &  Mary  4  &  5. 

Richard  Symkynson,  Plaintiff  '  ; 

John  Sterkeye  and  others,  Defendants. 

In  the  matter  of  forcible  entry  and  tortious  possession  of  a  messuage 

or  tenement  called  Crawshaghe  House. 

(Calendar  of  Pleadings). 


GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 


1566. 

PRAYE  YE  FOR  THE  GOODE  ESTATE  OF  PETER  STANLEY  ESQIR  AND 

CECELY  HIS  WIF  WITH  THER  CHILDREN  WHO  CAUSED  THIS  WOORK 
TO  BE  MADE  IN  THE  YERE  OF  OVR  LORD  GOD  A  THOVSAND  CCCCCLXVI. 

So  runs  the  inscription  over  the  doorway  on  the  south  front  of 
Moor  Hall,  the  most  interesting  and  historical  residence  that  we  possess 
in  Aughton. 

Peter  Stanley  was  the  second  son  of  Sir  William  Stanley,  of  Hooton. 
His  first  wife  was  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  heiress  of  James  Scarisbrick  ; 
by  which  union  the  lordship  of  the  manor  of  Bickerstaffe  was  conveyed 
to  him.  He  had  an  only  daughter  by  this  first  wife,  who  married  Henry 
Stanley,  son  of  Sir  James  Stanley,  of  Cross  Hall,  26th  September,  1563. 
His  second  spouse  was  Cicely,  daughter  of  Richard  Tarleton,  and  will  be 
the  "  Cecely  his  Wif  "  of  the  inscription  quoted.  In  1574,  at  the  General 
Levy  of  Arms,  he  had  to  "  putt  in  ready  ness  "  the  following  equipment : — 


Light  horseman,  I 

Corsletts,  2 

Almon  ryvetts,  2 

Pykes,  2 


Sheffe  Arrows,  2 
Steele  Cappes,  2 
Gulliver,  I 

Morrian  I 


Long  boes  2 

He  was  Standard  Bearer  at  the  funeral  of  Edward,  Third  Earl  of 
Derby,  who  had  bequeathed  his  body  to  be  buried  in  the  Parish  Church 
of  Ormskirk,  and  a  Chapel  to  be  there  erected.  The  obsequies  took  place 
on  the  4th  December,  1572,  and  were  accompanied  with  the  most  lavish 
expense  and  magnificence.  Peter  Stanley  was  fourth  in  the  order  of 
procession,  and  is  described  as 

"  An  Esquire  bearing  the  Standard,  with  his  hood  on  his  Head, 
"  and  Horse  trapped  to  the  Ground,  garnished,  with  a  Shaffron 
"  of  his  arms   within   the   Garter   on   his   Forehead,   and   four 
"  Escutcheons  of  Buckram  Metal,  on  each  side  two 
"  Peter  Stanley." 

His  Will  was  proved  7th  August,  1592  (published  in  Chetham  Socy.'s 
vol.  51),  and  may  be  of  interest. 

B 


8  GENERAL   GLEANINGS. 


In  the  name,  &c.  The  20  October  1589  I  Peter  Stanley  of 
Moore  Hall  in  the  county  of  Lane.  Esquire  consydering  the  certeynty 
of  deathe  &c.  &c.  To  Katherin  wief  of  Edwarde  Stanley  my  eldest 
sonne  tow  bedsteed  and  all  furniture  of  beddings  belonginge  to  the 
same  wch  nowe  are  in  the  chamber  wherein  the  sayde  Katherin  doth 
use  to  lie  To  my  sayde  Sonne  Edwarde  Stanley  all  my  standinge 
bedsteedes  in  Moore  Hall  aforesayde  and  all  my  implements  and 
furniture  for  husbandrie  and  one  cheste  in  the  great  chamber  in  More 
Hall  and  all  armour  and  furiture  for  warrs  and  one  great  stone  used 
for  pservaco  of  swine  meat  To  Anne  Blunderell  my  daughter  my 
red  silke  curtens  To  Katherin  Urmeston  my  daughter  my  greene 
seye  curtens  To  Jane  Stanley  daughter  of  the  sayde  Edward 
Stanley  one  in  calfe  heyffer  To  Elizabeth  Stanley  sister  of  the  said 
Jane  one  in  calfe  heffer  To  Alice  Sutton  and  Margaret  her  sister 
tow  in  calfe  heffers  equally  to  bee  devided  And  all  the  rest  of  my 
goods  and  cattells  not  before  bequeathed  I  give  &c  to  Margaret 
Stanley  my  daughter  wiefe  of  Henry  Stanley  Esquier  and  to  Willia 
Stanley  my  second  sonne  equallye  to  be  devyded. 

Henry  Stanley  also  made  his  Will  in  the  same  year  as  his  father-in- 
law  (1589).  Among  other  things  he  had — 

"  In  ye  pier  at  the  lytle  hall  in  Aughton   one  poll  axe  and  one 

"  forrest  bill  x  x  d." 

Will  this  be  the  same  place  as  Little  Moor  Hall  that  we  have  at  present  ?  In 
1671  Robert  Leatherbarrow  resided  at  the  Little  Hall,  and  was  Churchwarden  in 
that  year. 

Moor  Hall  is  a  picturesque  mansion,  some  three  miles  from  Ormskirk, 
on  the  Prescot  Road.  The  property  remained  in  the  hands  of  the  Stanley 
family  until  1840,  when  it  was  in  the  possession  of  William  Thomas 
Stanley  Massey  Stanley,  Esq.,  M.P.  The  whole  of  his  Lancashire  estates 
were  offered  for  auction  in  September,  1840.  The  actual  bidding  for 
Moor  Hall  and  139  acres  ran  up  to  ^"15,700,  but  was  bought  in  at  ^"18,000. 
The  tenant  from  1834  to  1840  was  John  Leigh,  Esq.  After  the  sale  it  was 
purchased  by  John  Rosson,  Esq.,  J.P.,  D.L.,  who  was  a  Liverpool  barrister, 


^  ' 


io  GENERAL   GLEANINGS. 

and  a  descendant  of  Andrew  Rosson,  Chapel  Street,  Liverpool,  whose 
name  appears  in  the  first  Liverpool  Directory,  1766.  Mr.  Rosson  died 
24th  December,  1857,  and  his  sister,  Miss  Frances  Rosson,  disposed  of  the 
place  in  1863  to  Mr.  J.  P.  Duff;  he,  however,  falling  into  difficulties,  she  re- 
purchased it  two  years  after,  and  finally  disposed  of  it  in  1873  to  the  late 
Thomas  Walmsley,  Esq.,  sometime  Mayor  of  Bolton.  Mr.  Walmsley  was 
a  native  of  Bickerstaffe,  and,  in  his  youth  having  occasion  to  pass  the 
house  on  his  way  to  Ormskirk  Grammar  School,  he  seized  the  opportunity, 
when  he  had  secured  a  competency,  of  obtaining  possession  of  a  property 
pleasantly  associated  with  youthful  memories.  His  executors  now  hold  it. 

1581.     23  Eliz. 

James  Lathwaite  in  right  of  James  Scaresbricke,  Plaintiff; 
John  Raynfurthe,  Defendant. 

Dispute  concerning  Uplitherlande  Hall,  Kylne  Crofte,  and  other 
lands. 

1581.     23  Eliz. 

James  Laithwaite,  Plaintiff; 
Hugh  Asmoll  and  Geo.  Holme,  Defendants. 
Dispute  concerning  Messuage  and  Lands  called  Mykeringe. 

(Calendar  of  Pleadings). 

1583.  I  May. — "William  Moore  of  Bank  house  in  the  Countie  of 
u  Lancaster  Esquire  "  conveys  to  Laurence  Ireland  of  Lydyate 
Messuages  with  Lands  &c.  in  Aughton  late  the  inheritance  of 
Will1"  Bradshawe. 

1585.  The  declaration  to  Queen  Elizabeth  of  the  Loyal  Protestant 
Association  of  Lancashire  Gentlemen  was  signed  by  Henry 
Stanley,  Sen.,  Henry  Stanley,  Junr-  and  Peter  Stanley,  all  of 
Aughton.  The  muster  ground  on  the  alarm  of  the  Armada 
was  on  Aughton  Moss,  and  the  muster  master  was  Stanley,  of 
Cross  Hall,  where  the  arms  were  stored.  Absence  from  church 
during  these  commotions  was  punished  by  a  fine  of  I2d.,  levied 
by  the  Wardens, 


GENERAL    GLEANINGS.  11 


1589.     A  very  curious  proclamation  was  signed  by  nearly  all  the  Lanca- 
shire magistrates  against — 

"  Waykes,  Fayres,  bayrebayte,  bullbait,  ales,  May  Games,  resortinge 
"  to  alehouses  in  tyme  of  devyne  service,  pypinge  and  dancinge, 
"  huntinge,  and  all  maner  of  unlaw1-  gaminge." 

1593.  Inquisition  taken  at  Preston,  I3th  April,  1613,  after  the  death  of 

Ewan  Blackleach  of  Lathom. 

Agreement  dated  nth  May,  35  Elizabeth  (1593),  concerning  a 
marriage  between  John  Blackleach,  son  of  Ewan  Blackleach, 
and  Margaret  Walton.  Covenant  on  the  part  of  Ewan  to  levy 
a  fine  on  premises,  &c.  Special  mention  of  4  closes  of  arable 
land  which  "  lye  and  bee  vponye  ye  Southwest  syde  of  a 
"  certayne  Lane  in  Aughton  which  leadeth  vnto  ye  Clive 
"  Hilles." 

1594.  36.  Eliz. 

Lawrence  Irelande,  Plaintiff  ; 

John  Starkey  and  others,  Defendants. 

Lands  in  dispute  called  Bycall  and  divers  others. 

(Calendar  of  Pleadings). 

Among  our  field  names  "  Bicoe  "  occurs,  which  will  doubtless  be  the  same  as 
Bycall.  "  West  Tower  "  is  built  on  Bicoe. 

1596.     38  Eliz. 

Henry  Stanley,  Plaintiff ; 

Henry  Wildinge  and  Thomas  Halle,  Defendants. 

Intrusion  on  a  parcel  of  land  lying  in  the  Hollynhurst. 

{Calendar  of  Pleadings). 

Hollenhurst  was  the  residence  of  the  old  and  influential  family  of  Pye.  An 
inscription  on  the  house,  R.  P.  A.  1684,  tells  us  that  the  builder  would  be  Roger  Pye, 
Aughton  ;  the  same  who  was  churchwarden  in  1686.  In  the  Christening  Register  on 
"  4  July  1669,  James,  son  Roger  Pye  "  is  entered.  He  also  had  a  daughter,  Elizabeth, 
who  was  progenitor  of  a  well-known  family  living  in  our  midst. 


12  GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 

1598.     40  Eliz. 

Attorney-General  at  the  Relation  of  Roger  Sonkey,  Plaintiff ' ; 
Laurence  Ireland  and  others,  Defendants. 

Withdrawing  Suit  to  mills  called  Grippie  Mylne  and  the  Newe 
Mylne  in  Uplitherland  Manor,  Aughton  Manor  and  Town. 

(Calendar  of  Pleadings'). 

In  3 1st  Eliz.  an  action  arose,  "  Wm.  Lathwaite  versus  Kath.  Morecrofte  in  right 
of  Jas.  Bradshaigh,"  about  "  The  Mylne  Croft,  Aghton."  The  Moorecroft  family 
long  had  possession  of  the  mill,  for  one  Henry  Moorecroft  left  by  Will  dated  2gth 
August,  1575,  to  "my  sonne  haue  all  my  Lands  and  one  milne  lying  and  being  in 
"Aughton."  See  1418-1537. 

1603-4.     Order  of  the  Duchy  Court  dated  30  Sep.  2nd  James  I. 

Inquisition  held  31  August  preceding  1604  under  a  petition  of 
Alex.  Standyshe  de  Duxburge  arm&  guardian  and  tutor  to 
Peter  Stanley  de  Morehall  exhibited  in  the  Chancery  of 
Lancaster  concerning  a  road  or  right  of  passage  for  Horsemen, 
Footmen,  Yokes  of  Oxen,  &c.,  in  Bycarstath  in  the  Parish  of 
Aughton,  from  land  called  Ellen's  Feilde,  to  the  road  leading 
from  Liv'poole  to  Wygan,  claimed  by  Robert  Tyndlsy  and 
others.  Reciting  inquisition  held  at  Bickerstaffe  3Oth  Aug. 
before  the  said  Rob1-  Byndlosse  deputy  for  our  Lord  the  King 
at  which  appeared  Ric.  Barnston,  Henry  Haskayne,  Rich. 
Billinge,  Will.  Stopforth,  James  Banaster,  Humfrey  Morecroft, 
John  Handcock,  Laurence  Hallyworth,  James  Barton,  and 
Hector  Boare,  jurymen,  who  found  that  the  road  was  given  by 
Peter  Stanley  who  then  held  Ellen's  Feilde  as  a  Lord's  way  to 
high  road  aforesaid,  which  same  appertained  to  Morecroft, 
otherwise  Ashmalle  Mosse,  in  Bycerstath.  Reciting  a  grant  of 
a  road  from  the  premises  to  the  road  of  our  Lord  the  King 
leading  from  Liverpoole  to  Ormeskyk,  and  to  another  road  in 
"  Byckersteth "  leading  from  Liverpool  to  Wygan,  and  to 
another  road  called  logges  Lane,  which  leads  from  the  Moss  in 


GENERAL    GLEANINGS.  13 

Aughton  called  Hesketh  Moss,  to  a  place  in  Bycarsteth  called 
Deepe  Lathe  near  the  Mosse,  and  then  on  the  main  way  from 
Bycarsteth  to  Wygan. 

From     Latin     Deed,     with    Elizabethan    flourishes    and    contractions,    endorsed 
"  Tyldesley  &  Ors.,"  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Bromley,  Lathom. 

1637.  Indenture  of  lease  8th  November,  I3th  Charles,  between  Peter 
Stanley,  of  the  More  Hall  in  Aughton,  gent.,  and  Peter 
Ambrose,  of  Toxtethe  Parke,  yeoman  (in  the  consideration  ot 
^"40  and  the  surrender  of  a  lease  for  3  lives  granted  by  Edward 
Stanley  the  father  to  Olive  Ambrose  ded-  father  of  Peter 
Ambrose)  of  house  in  Ormskirk,  with  field,  public  orchard, 
croft,  &c.,  during  the  lives  of  the  said  Peter  Ambrose  and 
Joshiah  and  Nehemiah,  his  sons,  for  a  rent  of  ios.,  at  the 
feasts  of  Penticost  and  St.  Martin,  and  "two  days'  shearing  or 
"  reaping  of  corn  with  an  able  person  in  ye  time  of  harvest 
"  and  one  day  heaving  or  filling  of  manure  or  donge." 
Witnesses,  Thos.  Wolfall,  Edw.  Blackley,  Thomas  Litherland. 

The  wording  of  this  Deed  represents  a  relic  of  feudal  times.  The  Peter  Stanley 
here  mentioned  was  grandson  to  Peter  who  built  Moor  Hall,  and  was  68  years 
of  age  at  the  visitation  of  1665. 

1644.  During  the  civil  war,  Ormskirk  must  be  named  as  one  of  the 
strongholds  of  the  Royalist  party  in  Lancashire.  After  the 
famous  Battle  of  Marston  Moor,  which  was  fought  2  July, 
1644,  in  which  the  Parliamentarian  forces  were  victorious, 
4,000  of  their  troops  returned  to  begin  the  second  siege  of 
Lathom  House.  They  took  up  their  headquarters  at  Ormskirk, 
although  a  large  number  encamped  on  Aughton  Moss,  near 
the  Mill.  Trenchfield  House,  on  the  site  of  this  encampment, 
still  commemorates  and  retains  the  name.  Some  time  ago  the 
Trench  field  itself  was  divided  in  two,  and  in  the  section  next 
the  outbuildings  traces  may  still  be  observed. 


I4  GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 

On  Tuesday,  the  20  August,  1644,  there  was  fought  what  is  spoken 
of  as  a  "  great  conflict "  on  Aughton  Moss  between  the 
Parliamentarian  and  Royalist  forces.  The  "  Perfect  Diurnal  " 
says  :  — 

''  The  20  of  this  instant  the  Lancashire  forces  near  Ormeskirke 
''  beat  the  whole  strength  of  the  eneraie,  took  about  300 
"prisoners,  500  horse,  killed  about  100,  and  forced  the  rest 
"  into  Cheshire,  intending  to  follow  them  :  have  taken  Colonell 
''  Hervey,  besides  7  Captains  and  many  other  considerable 
"prisoners,  and  Sir  Thomas  Tilsley  and  Colonell  Preston  are 
"  either  killed  or  fled  privately,  for  except  their  corps,  were 
"  among  the  dead,  and  being  stript,  not  known,  which  may  be, 
"  we  cannot  tell  what  is  become  of  them." 

Another  account  from  a  letter  in  ''  Perfect  Occurrences,"  dated 
Manchester  four  days  after,  has  the  following  : — 

"  It  is  to  be  observed  that  the  same  day  and  at  the  very  same  time 
"  that  the  Cheshire  forces  were  engaged  at  Tarvin,  the  Lanca- 
"  shire  forces  had  a  great  victorie  over  the  enemie.  Our  Major 
''  General!  Meldrum  having  notice  of  the  enemy,  marched 
"  towards  Ormskirk,  made  fast  after  them,  overtook  them  on 
"  Tuesday  in  the  evening  on  a  moor  neer  Ormskirk,  where 
"  they  stood  in  batalia,  and  upon  the  first  charge  of  our 
''  Musquet,  they  fled,  whereupon  our  Horse  bravely  fell  upon 
"  them,  and  totally  routed  them.  In  the  pursuit  they  took 
"  about  800  horse  ;  some  letters  report  a  1000,  and  300 
"  prisoners.  By  reason  of  the  night  we  could  not  improve 
"  the  victory  as  wee  otherwise  might  have  done.  The  Lord 
"  Byron  and  the  Lord  Molleneux  were  forced  to  leave  their 
"  horses,  and  to  hide  themselves  in  a  corn  field." 

Several  relics  of  this  engagement  were  collected  and  preserved  by  a  local  antiquarian, 
who,  however,  by  his  Will,  presented  them  to  the  British  Museum.  A  cannon 
ball  is  in  the  possession  of  an  old  parishioner,  who  well  remembers  his  father 


GENERAL   GLEANINGS.  15 


unearthing  it  when  resident  on  the  Moss  ;  this  and  an  old  gun  stock,  now  in 
Aughton  Mill,  are  the  only  mementoes  I  can  trace.  There  are  not  any  entries  in 
our  Burial  Register  of  this  date  to  throw  any  light  on  the  matter.  A  well, 
spoken  of  as  Cromwell's  well,  may  possibly  have  been  used  to  water  the  horses. 

1662.  "  In  August,  1662,  there  happened  a  hail  storm  in  these  west  parts 
"  of  Lancashire,  whereby  many  fields  of  good  corn  were  quite 
"  destroyed  in  an  instant.  Some  parts  of  Sefton  parish,  some 
"  parts  of  Halsall,  Aughton,  and  Ormskirk  parishes  did  suffer 
"  very  much  damage.  Pigeons  were  killed  thereby,  fruit 
"  spoiled,  and  the  boughs  of  trees  cloven  and  split  with  the 
"  hailstones." — Extract  from  Gibson's  Cavalier's  Note  Book. 

Nathaniel  Heywood,  the  Nonconformist  Vicar  of  Ormskirk,  also 
speaks  of  this  storm  : — "  Hailstones  were  as  big  as  ordinary 
"  Apples,  some  nine  inches  in  circumference  ;  one  stone  that  I 
"  took  up  was  above  four  inches,  after  it  had  thawed  in  my 
"  hand." 

1665.     "  FRIENDS'  BURIAL  GROUND." 

So  runs  the  inscription  on  the  wall  enclosing  this  interesting  plot 
of  ground.  It  is  not  actually  in  Aughton,  but  in  a  remote  corner  of 
Bickerstaffe,  within  five  minutes'  easy  stroll  from  Moor  Hall.  The  visitor 
must  not  expect  to  find  any  monuments,  as  they  rank  among  the  vanities 
of  the  world  which  the  Friends  eschew.  Here  sleeps  in  peace,  among  other 
friends,  "  Oliver  Atherton  de  Bickersteth  Bur.  in  his  owne  yeard,"  the 
precise  date,  according  to  Ormskirk  Burial  Register,  being  February  3,  1663. 
Sewell  in  "  History  of  Quakers"  mentions  him  as  a  '•  prisoner  for  refusing 
to  pay  tithes,"  and  calls  his  "a  singular  case."  The  Countess  of  Derby  was 
the  lay  rector  of  Ormskirk,  to  whom  he  refused  to  pay  tithes.  For  this 
she  cast  him  into  prison  ;  after  remaining  there  two  years  he  died.  His 
friends,  obtaining  his  corpse,  carried  it  through  certain  towns  in  Lancashire, 
to  the  Market  Crosses  of  which  they  affixed  the  following  inscription, 
which  was  also  on  his  coffin  :  — 


1 6  GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 


''Here  lies  Oliver  Atherton,  from  the  Parish  of  Ormskirk, 
"  who  by  the  Countess  of  Derby  had  been  persecuted  to  death 
"  for  keeping  a  good  conscience  towards  God  and  Christ,  in  not 
"  paying  of  tithes  to  her." 

In  1723  a  Peter  Cropper  was  buried  here,  whose  eldest  son,  Edmund, 
was  disowned  by  the  Society  for  "  quarrelsomeness,  swearing  and  dis- 
orderley  conduct,"  and  the  minutes  say  "  he  was  admonished  by  us,  who 
"  found  him  too  full  of  himself,  so  that  he  had  not  room  for  counsel  and 
"  advice."  Tradition  says  that  he  was  a  handsome  man,  and  a  splendid 
horseman,  and  that  he  used  to  leap  a  five-barred  gate  with  his  wife  behind 
him. 

A  mounting  block  just  inside  the  entrance  gate  bears  the  inscription 
J.  C.,  1722,  evidently  relating  to  one  of  the  Cropper  family,  and  is  the 
only  ancient  mark  to  show  the  spot,  the  present  wall  being  of  very  modern 
construction,  placed  there  in  1880. 

1675.  In  this  year  one  Alice  Browne  became  chargeable  to  the  parish. 
The  following  is  a  copy  of  an  order  for  her  "  removal,"  now  in 
the  church  chest.  It  is  a  sample  of  the  inhuman  law  of 
Edward  VI.  for  removing  the  infirm  poor  to  the  place  of  their 
birth  or  last  residence  : — 
Lans- 

"  Wee  his  Majies-  Justices  of  the  pies  for  the  sayd  county  whose 
'•  names  are  Subscribed,  To  all  Maiors,  Constables,  and  other 
u  his  Maties  officers,  and  min'sters  of  Justies,  in  the  county  of 
"  Lancaster  and  York  whom  it  may  concern.  Whereas  att  this 
''  pr'sent  Session,  the  court  is  Informed,  and  fully  Satisfyed  by 
li  the  ovrseers  of  the  poor  of  Aughton,  in  the  Sayd  county  of 
"  Lancaster,  and  upon  readinge  the  Severall  orders  in  this 
•'  behalfe  made  and  hearing  of  all  Syde  it  appears,  That  Alice 
'•  Browne  and  her  children  have  no  Legall  Settlement  in 
"  Aughton  Afforesayd  ;  and  that  by  her  own  confession,  her  last 
"  Legall  Settlement  was  in  Middleton  Woodsyde,  in  the  parish 


GENERAL   GLEANINGS.  17 

u  of  Radwell,  in  the  Sayd  county  of  York  ;  and  that  since  her 
"  departure  thence,  she  hath  wandered  upp  &  down  ye  country, 
"  and  this  court  doth  not  find  in  the  order  made  att  Wakefield 
"in  the  Sayd  county  of -York,  any  grounds  or  reason  to  dis- 
"  charge  Midleton  afforesayd  from  the  Sayd  Alice  Browne  and 
"  her  Sayd  children.  Therefore  wee  his  Sayd  Maties  Justices  do 
"  hereby  order,  and  require,  that  the  Sayd  Alice  Browne  and 
"  her  Sayd  children,  shall  forthwith  be  sent  from  Townshippe 
"  to  Townshippe,  by  the  constables  and  officers  thereof  the  next 
"  direct  way  to  Midleton  Woodsyde,  After  there,  to  bee  Settled 
u  by  the  overseers  of  the  poore  according  to  Lawe.  Given 
"  under  our  hands,  and  seals,  in  open  session,  att  Wigan  the  17 
"  Day  of  January  1675." 

(Signed)  EDW.  CHISENHAL 

THO  ASHTON." 

Another  example,  taken  from  the  Overseers'  books  in   1795  : — 

i(  Exps.  removing  Alice  Hall  her  and  two  children  to  Nottingham, 
''  being  seven  days  with  one  Horse  Cart." 

Cost  the  Parish  Five  pounds  odd. 

1686.     An  inscription  on  a  small  brass  plate  let  into  the  North  wall  of  our 
Parish  Church  runs  thus  : — 

JESUS  SALUATOK 

MY  ANCESTERS  HAUE  BEEN  INTERRED  HERE  ABOUE  380  YEARS 
THIS  To  ME  BY  ANCIENT  EUIDENCE  APPEARS 
WHICH  THAT  ALL  MAY  KNOW  &  NONE  DOE  OFFER  WRONG 
IT  is  TEN  FOOT  &  ONE  INCH  BROAD  &  FOURE  YARDS  &  A  HALF  LONG 

RICHARD  MOSSOCK     1686    AMEN 
GOD  SAUE  THE  KING  To  THE  CREATE  GLORY  OF  GOD 

A  somewhat  similar  poetical  inscription  is  in  the  Mossock  Chancel 
in  the  North  aisle  of  Ormskirk  Church,  dated  however  1661,  and  has 
reference  to  Henry  Mosoke,  aged  74,  although  placed  there  by  Richard. 


1 8  GENERAL   GLEANINGS. 

According  to  Rev.  T.  E.  Gibson,  this  Richard  was  the  son  of  Henry 
Mossock,  of  Bickersteth,  and  was  born  1627,  and  went  to  Douay  in  1642  ; 
these  two  curious  inscriptions  would  show  that  he  had  not  forgotten  the 
formulas  in  use  there.  Richard's  brother,  and  eldest  son  of  Henry 
Mossock,  was  probably  the  Royalist  officer  (Lieut.  Thorn.  Massock) 
captured  in  1644,  with  many  others,  after  the  fight  on  Aughton  Common. 
(See  1644).  In  reference  to  the  assertion  on  the  plate  in  our  own  church, 
the  Burial  Registers  are  silent  as  to  the  fact  of  any  Mossock  having  been 
buried  in  Aughton. 

The  family  is  of  undoubted  antiquity  ;  there  was  a  Henri  Mossok 
Mayor  of  Liverpool  in  1426,  who  witnesses  a  charter  of  De  L.  More  con- 
cerning land  at  Bank  House,  Kirkdale,  6th  May,  1434.  In  1515  Katherine 
Mosoke  is  described  as  daughter  of  Nicholas  Bykerstath,  of  Aghton  ;  in 
1548  the  presentation  of  the  church  was  in  the  hands  of  Thomas  Mossok, 
and  in  1583  a  dispute  arose  about  part  of  the  Moss  near  the  residence  of 
Henry  Mossocke,  in  Bickerstaffe.  (See  Burial  Register,  1602).  At  the 
Lancashire  Visitation  of  1664,  "  Mossoake "  enters  his  descent,  and 
describes  himself  as  of  •'  Kenniscough,"  which  is  our  modern  Conscough. 
In  Gregson's  Fragments,  Conscough  is  called  a  hamlet  in  the  Chapelry  of 
Melling,  and  was  so  far  back  as  1567  designated  "  Heathen  Land." 

Mossock  Hall  is  really  just  within  the  Boundary  of  Bickerstaffe  ;  the 
situation  is  very  lonely,  standing  in  the  middle  of  fields  some  little  distance 
from  the  high  road  to  Prescot.  It  is  a  quaint  brick  edifice,  a  noticeable 
feature  being  the  chimney  (8  feet  square)  which  occupies  a  large  amount 
of  space  in  the  house.  The  attic  rooms  have  clay  floors,  and  the  walls 
exhibit  the  mud  and  wicker  construction  often  to  be  met  with  in  old 
houses.  Forty  years  ago  the  place  was  in  a  very  neglected  state,  and  was 
surrounded  with  timber  and  old  hedges.  It  was  generally  believed  by  the 
neighbours  to  be  haunted,  and  was  known  for  some  time  as  Boggart  Hall, 
the  only  inhabitant  then  being  a  farm  labourer.  The  stories  told  are,  that 
one  of  the  ghosts,  with  clanking  chains,  used  to  walk  on  stormy  nights 
along  a  dark  and  narrow  road  leading  from  opposite  the  old  barn.  The 


20  GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 

house  itself  had  a  ghost  of  its  own,  that  of  a  lady  in  a  green  dress,  who 
followed  any  visitor  leaving  "  in  the  night  season  ;"  would  bang  the  door 
and  disappear.  It  would  seem  these  ghosts  were  laid  to  rest  after  a  sum 
of  money  had  been  found,  which,  gossip  says,  was  concealed  either  on  the 
staircase  in  the  balustrades,  which  are  hollow  and  of  great  thickness,  or  in 
a  coffin-shaped  receptacle  on  the  landing,  which  evidently  had  been  a 
secret  place  for  hiding  valuables  or  plate  in  troublous  times.  One  of  the 
remarkable  objects  on  the  farm  is  a  huge  stone  trough  near  the  stables, 
which  at  one  time  lay  in  a  field  near  the  house.  Report  has  it,  that  if 
moved  from  that  spot,  it  always  was  mysteriously  replaced  during  the 
night.  In  1875  an  old  sleeve-link  was  found  near  the  roots  of  a  large 
thorn  opposite  the  principal  door  of  the  house.  It  is  said  to  have  belonged 
to  Lord  Charliemont,  whose  name  it  bore,  and  must  have  remained  buried 
for  more  than  two  centuries. 

1688.     Order  of  Sessions  for  repair  of  roads  in  the  Hundred  of  West  Derby. 

At  a  general  quarter  session  held  at  "Ormskirke  in  P-Com-Lanc." 
upon  consideracon  of  the  great  decay  of  the  King's  highwayes 
Doth  hereby  order  that  all  and  every  the  King's  Highwayes  in 
each  parish  shall  forthwith  be  put  in  perfect  and  good  repaire, 
that  they  may  be  made  soe  wide,  soe  smoothed  from  little 
Rocks,  little  hills,  hollows,  and  sloods  that  all  Coaches,  Carts 
and  Carriages  may  safely  in  all  places,  going  by  the  calsey, 
meet  and  passe  each  other,  and  that  all  calseys  be  made  of  the 
full  breadth  of  one  yard  and  a  quarter  of  round  stones,  and 
not  of  flaggs,  &c.,  &c.  "  And  all  and  every  the  overseers  of 
the  highways  are  hereby  required  to  see  this  order  duly  and 
fully  executed." 

And  this  Court  being  of  opinion  that  no  Gentleman  will  take  it 
amisse  to  be  intreated  to  promote  soe  good  a  worke  some  of 
them  will  please  to  have  sometimes  an  eye  to  the  said  workes 
whilst  they  are  in  doinge,  and  to  these  ends  the  Court  hath 
thought  fit  to  noiate.  for  the  severall  pshes.  the  persons 


GENERAL    GLEANINGS.  21 

following,  for  Aughton  :  Edward  Stanley,  Esqr-  Mr.  Alexr- 
Hesketh,  Mr.  Roger  Bostocke,  Mr.  W'n-  Jameson,  Mr.  Tho. 
Lidiate,  Mr.  John  Bamber,  Mr.  Roger  Pye. 

From  the  Norris  Papers  (Chetham  Society),  1846. 

Two  hundred  years  after  this  "  order  of  session  "  we  find  a  well-known  novelist, 
William  Black,  describing,  in  "  The  Strange  Adventures  of  a  Phaeton,"  the  road 
which  runs  from  Liverpool  and  Preston  ;  he  says  : — "  It  is  hard  to  say  by  what 
"  process  of  fiendish  ingenuity  these  petrified  sweetbreads  have  been  placed  so  as  to 
"  occasion  the  greatest  possible  trouble  to  horses'  hoofs,  wheels,  and  human  ears  ;  and 
"  it  is  just  as  hard  to  say  why  such  roads  should  be  continued  out  into  country 
"  districts  where  a  cart  is  met  with  about  once  in  every  five  miles.  These  roads  do 
"  not  conduce  to  talking.  One  thinks  of  the  unfortunate  horses,  and  the  effect  on 
"  springs  and  wheels.  We  kept  our  teeth  well  shut,  and  went  on.  We  crossed  the 
"  small  river  of  Alt.  We  whisked  through  Maghull.  The  twilight  was  gathering 
"  fast  as  we  got  to  Aughton  ;  and  in  the  dusk — lit  up  by  the  yellow  stars  of  the  street 
"  lamps — we  drove  into  Ormskirk." 

1705-6.     Letter  of  Alex.  Hesketh  to  Richard  Norris,  urging  sale  of  land 

to  be  completed. 
Mr.  Norris 

at  his  house 

Water  Street 

Liverpool 

Sir,  I  have  spoken  to  my  friends  to  meet  you  and  your  friends  on 
Fryday  next  ;  unless  you  be  there,  nothing  will  be  perfected  ; 
those  catterpillars  loves  to  be  imployed,  I  am  sure  will  prove 
a  needless  charge,  because  all  persons  was  agreed,  and  you  and 
Mr.  Green*  did  take  possession.  The  estate  is  yours  and  none 
of  myne  according  as  we  referred  ourselves  unto,  and  the  sums 
of  money  really  fixed  ;  tho'  writings  was  not  made  out,  words 
should  be  made  good  on  both  parties — I  hope  you  will  not  fail. 

Yours  to  serve  you, 
Monday  Morning  Alex'-  Hesketh. 

Jany-  21    170? 

Richard  Norris,  of  Speke  Hall,  was  negotiating  for  the  purchase  of  lands  and 
advowson  of  the  church  from  Alex.  Hesketh,  which  did  not  however  result  in  a  sale. 
*  Isaac   Green   was  an   attorney   living  at  Prescot. 


22  GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 


1725.     Gastrell,  Bishop  of  Chester,  died. 

He  was  an  Ecclesiastical  antiquary  of  great  note,  and,  immediately  upon  his 
elevation  to  the  See  of  Chester,  he  appears  to  have  commenced  his  li  Notitia 
Cestriensis,"  which  he  compiled  from  a  great  variety  of  public  and  private  documents, 
from  his  own  Episcopal  Registers,  and  from  printed  circular  queries.  This  circular  con- 
tained some  1 8  questions.  The  following  is  extracted  from  the  "  Notitia,"  published 
by  the  Chetham  Society  in  1850  : — 

Aughton,  about  120  p.  an  new  Pars,  house,  leave  given  to  build  it,  an.  1711. 

An.  1548.     Will.  Bradshaw  de  Uplitherland,  Patron. 

An.  1602.     Gabriell  Hesketh  of  Newhall  in  Aughton,  Patron. 

An.  1700.     Alex.  Hesketh  Esq.  presented. 

Patron,  Mr.  Plumb,  who  bought  ye  Manour,  with  ye  Advowson  appendant, 
of  Mr.  Hesketh,  an.  1721.     2  Wardens. 

Halls.— Aughton  Hall,  Moor  Hall. 

School. — There  is  a  School-house  erected  upon  the  Glebe,  by  Mr.  Hindley, 
ye  late  Rect.  but  no  Endowment. 

Charities. — Distributed  to  ye  Poor  yearly  61  Is,  arising  from  Int.  of  money, 
and  rent  charge  on  Lands,  given  by  severall  persons. 

Families. — 153.     Papists  80,  Pap.  Fam.  13,  Dissenting  Fam.  7. 

1732.     These  are  the  names  of  the  persons  that  are  elected  poles  or  that 
keep  ye  armory 

Henry  Watkinson  Peter  Woosey 

Robert  Taylor  Roger  Meadow 

Rich  Culshaw  Thos  Taylor 

George  Charles 

(Extract  from  an  old  Minute  Book). 

1741.     17  May. — It  is  ordered,  &c.,  if  any  person  or  persons  in  this  parish 
Sett  or  Lett  any  house  or  cottage  unless  two  acres  of  ground 
with  it,  without  the  consent  of  the  parish  to  any  Stranger  in 
our  Township,  Shall  be  prosecuted  by  the  towns  charge. 
Rich  Molyneux,  John  Underwood,  Wm  Howcioft. 


GENERAL   GLEANINGS.  23 

I755-  Juty  22- — It  is  agreed,  &c.,  that  a  new  Pulpit  Cushion  and  a  Com- 
munion Cloth  shall  be  got  as  soon  as  possible. 

1765.  On  a  marble  in  the  Plumbe  Chapel  in  the  Parish  Church  is  an 
inscription  bearing  the  Stanley  Arms — 

IN  MEMORY  OF  LADY  STANLEY,  RELICT  OF  SIR 
WILLIAM  STANLEY  OF  HOOTON,  BART.,  &  DAUGHTER 
OF  ROWLAND  EYRE  OF  HASSOP,  ESQ.,  AND  LADY 
ELIZABETH  EYRE,  WHO  DEPARTED  THIS  LIFE  ON  THE 
I8TH  OF  APRIL  1765,  IN  THE  78TH  YEAR  OF  HER  AGE. 

REQUIESCAT  IN  PACE. 

I774-  J5  Jime. — First  coach  passed  through  the  parish,  running  from 
Liverpool  to  Preston. 

1787.  May  22. — It  was  agreed  that  a  pound  shall  be  erected  on  some 
convenient  place  on  the  Moss  for  the  purpose  of  pounding  all 
impoundable  goods.  The  Constable's  account  shows  the  cost 
of  the  "  Pinfold  "  under  this  date  to  have  been  ^"5  IDS.  3d. 

1809.  5  March. — A  Vestry  empowers  Mr.  Thomas  Molyneux  to  direct 
the  road  over  the  Town  Green. 

l8ll.  Population  1032.  191  Inhabited  Houses,  198  Families,  116  of 
which  were  employed  in  agriculture.  493  Males,  539  Females. 

1813.  3  June. — "  An  Act  for  enclosing  Lands  in  the  township  of 
"  Aughton,  in  the  Parish  of  Aughton,  in  the  county  Palatine 
"  of  Lancashire." 

l82I.     Population  1279.     Males  655,  Females  624. 

1823.     Opening  of  St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Chapel. 

Until  the  close  of  the  last  century  the  Catholics  of  this  neighbourhood 
were  served  by  the  chaplain  at  Moor  Hall.  The  Rev.  Simon  G.  Bordley 
left  Moor  Hall  to  found  the  Mission  in  1784.  He  was  succeeded  by  the 
Rev.  James  Dennett,  who,  in  1823,  built  the  chapel,  the  congregation 


24  GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 


before  that  time  hearing  mass  in  the  priest's  house.  He  served  the 
Mission  for  47  years.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Crook  succeeded  Father  Dennett,  and 
remained  until  1847,  when  the  Rev.  Edmund  Power  was  appointed,  who 
built  the  school  and  school-house  upon  land  given  by  Mr.  Thomas  Weld- 
Blundell.  He  retired,  and  died  at  Moor  Hall,  1878.  For  three  years  the 
Mission  was  under  the  care  of  Rev.  Peter  McGrath,  and  on  his  retirement, 
through  the  infirmities  of  age,  the  Rev.  Robert  Bridges  was  appointed, 
and  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Alfred  Snow. 

1829.     Expenses    for     repairs    to     the     Parish     Church     amounted     to 

^525    los.    id. 
1831.     Population  1462. 

Of  more  than  passing  interest,  perhaps,  are  the  charges  and  par- 
ticulars for  "  Taking  an  acct.  of  the  Population,"  which  are  found  in  the 
Overseers'  books.  From  the  enquiry  of  this  year  we  find  the  parish  had  241 
inhabited  houses,  occupied  by  258  families — 732  Males  and  730  Females — 
of  which  number  424  were  employed  in  agriculture  ;  of  other  trades  and 
handicrafts  there  were — blacksmiths,  6  ,-  brewers,  2  ;  publicans,  5  ; 
hatter,  i  ;  millers,  3  ;  ropemakers,  6  ;  tailors,  7  ;  shoemakers,  13  ; 
wheelwrights,  9  ;  weavers,  12  ;  flaxdresser,  i.  ;  duffers  (pedlars),  2. 
There  was  one  house  building  and  seven  uninhabited. 

1833.     Several  alterations  in  the  pewing  of  the  Parish  Church  and  the 
erection  of  8  new  pews. 

1836.     Holt  Green  Schools  built  by  public  subscription. 

1842.  Aughton   is   a   parish  situated  about  two  miles  from  Ormskirk, 

divided  into  Aughton  and  Up  Litherland.  The  church,  built 
of  stone  in  the  i6th  century,  stands  near  the  road,  and  the 
roof,  adorned  with  old  carved  work,  is  decorated  with  a  spire. 

(From   Illustrated  Itinerary  of  Lancashire*). 

1843.  i  July. — First  Enlargement  of  Parish  Churchyard. 

I  have  before  me  Lawyer  Welsby's  bill,  dated  1839,  for  conveying 
certain  portion  of  Glebe  land  (which  was  of  the  ancient  possession  of  the 


GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 


Rectory)  for  the  above  use,  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Boulton  giving  this  land  on 
the  understanding  that  the  churchwardens  were  to  bear  other  expenses. 
On  this  date,  sentence  of  consecration  of  extension  "  was  openly  read  and 

promulgated  "  in  the  presence  of 

W.  H.  BOULTON,  Rector. 

ANNE  BARTON 
MARY  BARTON 
JANE  BARTON 
ANNE  BOULTON 
(See  1877).  JOHN  BIRD,  Lord  Bishop  of  Chester. 

1846.  19  August.— Passing  of  the  Liverpool,  Ormskirk  and  Preston 
Railway  Bill.  The  Aughton  Band,  headed  by  a  large  display 
of  flags  and  banners,  paraded  the  parish  and  Ormskirk. 

1849.  April — Good  Friday. — Opening  of  the  Liverpool  and  Ormskirk 

Railway. 

1850.  Opening  of  St.  Anne's  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

The  Rev.  W.  B.  Rigby,  O.S.B.,  has  favoured  me  with  a  short  sketch 
of  the  Catholic  Mission  of  Ormskirk.  He  says,  that  for  many  years  after 
the  Reformation,  he  cannot  find  any  record  to  show  that  those  who  refused 
to  take  the  oath  of  supremacy  in  this  district,  could  unite  for  public 
worship.  Threatened  with  dreadful  penalties  for  Recusancy,  and  for 
assisting  at  mass,  there  were,  no  doubt,  very  few  who  could  be  staunch 
enough  to  hold  out  in  spite  of  the  terror  of  the  law.  It  is,  however,  on 
record  that  in  the  year  1729,  Mr.  Lancaster,  of  Ormskirk,  gave  ^"100  to 
the  Benedictines  (who  were  at  that  time  serving  several  Missions  in  the 
County  of  Lancashire)  to  have  mass  said  once  a  month  during  his  life,  and 
that  of  his  wife  ;  and,  according  to  the  Burial  Register  of  Ormskirk  Parish 
Church,  Mr.  Lancaster  died  in  1731,  and  his  wife  in  1733.  For  several 
years,  Father  Walmsley  came  from  Woolston  to  discharge  this  monthly 
duty,  and  said  mass  according  to  agreement.  Not  long  afterwards,  in  the 
year  1732,  Father  Maurus  Buhner  was  fixed  in  residence.  He  secured  a 


26  GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 

piece  of  land,  and  erected  a  building  to  serve  the  purpose  of  private 
residence  and  chapel  ;  in  the  upper  part  was  the  chapel,  and  in  the  lower, 
his  residence.  This  is  what  is  known  as  the  old  Presbytery,  and  has,  after 
certain  transformations,  been  made  into  a  dwelling-house,  called  St.  Anne's 
Close.  This  chapel  soon  became  too  small  for  the  wants  of  the  district, 
and  Father  Crook,  who  had  succeeded  Father  Bulmer  in  1788,  built  a  large 
chapel  adjoining  the  Presbytery  in  1795,  and  dedicated  it  to  St.  Oswald. 
Father  Crook  died  in  1800,  and  was  succeeded  by  Father  Oswald  Talbot, 
who  in  turn  was  succeeded  by  Father  Alban  Caldwell  in  1844.  It  became 
evident  that  the  school  accommodation  was  too  small  for  the  growing 
wants  of  the  district.  After  due  deliberation,  it  was  decided  to  hand  over 
the  old  chapel  for  purposes  of  education,  and  to  build  a  large  Gothic 
church.  A  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  congregation  was  held  in  the 
Schoolroom,  Burscough  Street,  on  Sunday,  i8th  July,  1848  ;  when  it  was 
resolved  to  erect  a  new  church  on  the  field  adjoining  the  chapel,  and  Mr. 
S.  Moorcroft  was  appointed  Treasurer  of  the  Building  Fund.  The  work 
was  taken  up  with  enthusiasm,  and  in  the  year  1850  the  present  handsome 
church  was  opened  for  public  worship. 

The  Rev.  Alban  Caldwell  was  succeeded  in  1856  by  the  Rev.  Hilary 
Dowding,  who  was  incumbent  for  two  years  only,  and  in  1858  was 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Francis  Kershaw.  He  died,  and  lies  buried  at 
Ormskirk  ;  and  was  succeeded  in  1865,  by  the  late  Father  Aidan  Hickey 
who  had  charge  of  the  Mission  until  his  death,  in  1888,  and  was  succeeded 
by  the  present  incumbent. 

The  chapel  is  of  stone,  in  the  early  English  style,  and  consists  of 
chancel,  nave,  aisles,  lady  chapel,  and  a  tower  containing  one  bell. 

In  1862  the  Rosson  Chapel  was  beautified,  at  a  considerable  cost,  by 
Miss  Rosson,  as  a  memorial  to  her  brother,  John  Rosson,  which  contains 
his  bust,  executed  by  Gibson. 

1851.     Population,   1,655.      Males,  843  ;    Females,  812. 
Inhabited  Houses,   296. 


GENERAL   GLEANINGS.  27 

1853.  November.  At  the  Ormskirk  County  Court  an  action  was  brought 
by  the  Earl  of  Derby  against  John  Rosson,  Esq.,  of  Moor  Hall, 
for  the  recovery  of  chief  rents.  Mr.  Conroy  appeared  for  his 
Lordship,  and  Mr.  Aspinall  defended.  A  basketful  of  receipt 
books,  dated  from  1741,  were  put  in  evidence  to  prove  that  a 
certain  quit  rent  had  always  been  paid  for  Moor  Hall  to  the 
Stanley  family  ;  and  Mr.  Moult,  the  agent  for  the  Earl  of 
Derby,  was  examined  at  some  length  to  show  that  the  last  quit 
rent  was  paid  in  1833,  and  that  therefore  there  were  25  years' 
rent  due.  On  the  other  hand,  Mr.  Aspinall  contended  that 
there  was  no  proof  that  the  Stanleys  were  the  owners  of  Moor 
Hall,  and  it  did  not  follow  that  because  certain  rents  had  been 
paid  to  some  Earls  of  Derby,  that  the  present  Earl  had  a  right 
to  those  rents. 

1854-     Assessment  for  County  Rate,  ^"11,854. 

1854-     3  Nov. — Gas  first  introduced  into  Aughton. 

1855.  January. — The  Patriotic  Fund  for  the  Widows  and  Orphans  of 

Soldiers  killed  during  the  Crimean  War  amounted  in  Aughton 
to/197   1 8s. 

1856.  June. — Earl  of  Derby  sold  an  estate  to  Robert  Lawe,  Esq.,  Banker, 

Ormskirk,  for  ^"20,000. 

1858.  March  14. — Opening  of  the  new  organ,  by  Mr.  Chester,  in  the 
Parish  Church,  presented  by  Thomas  Bland,  Esq.,  at  a  cost  of 

/280. 

A  preliminary  trial  of  its  capabilities  took  place  by  Mr.   Maybrick,  Organist  to 
St.  Peter's  Church,  Liverpool,  with  the  following  Programme  : — 

Coronation  Anthem  ...         ...         ...         Handel 

"  O,  Thou  that  tellest " do. 

"  O,  had  I  Jubal's  Lyre "      ...         ...         ...         do. 

"  The  Heavens  are  telling "      ...         ...         ...         ...  Haydn 

"  Wedding  March "       ...         ...         ...  Mendeksohn 

Hallelujah  Chorus,  and  National  Anthem. 

Inscription  on  the  organ  : — 

"  PRESENTED  TO  THE  PARISH  CHURCH  OF  AUGHTON  BY  THOMAS 
"  BLAND,  Esg..  SPRINGWOOD  LODGE,  A.D.  1858." 


28  GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 

1858.     September. — A  midnight  burglary  and  murderous  outrage  on  Mr. 
Richard  Prescott,  living  at  Robin's  Bridge. 

1860.  August  1 8. — Review  of  Volunteers  at  Moor  Hall,  and  presentation 

of  a  silver  bugle  to  the  54th  (Ormskirk)  L.R.V.  by  Miss  Rosson. 

1861.  January  i. — At  a  Vestry  meeting  it  was  resolved  to  erect  a  School- 

house,  for  the  residence  of  the  schoolmaster  of  the  parish,  to 
the  memory  of  Mr.  Matthew  Chadwick,  the  late  schoolmaster. 

1861.     Population,  1,869.     Males,  901  ;  Females,  968. 
Inhabited  Houses,  360. 

1864.  July  9. — Fatal  accident  to  Mr.  Edmund  Garside.      The  Ormskirk 

Fire  Brigade,  with  their  engine  and  reel-cart,  were  proceeding 
to  a  conflagration  at  Clieves  Hills,  and,  when  about  a  mile-and- 
a-half  from  Ormskirk,  near  to  Mr.  William  Prescott's  farm,  on 
going  down  the  incline,  the  wire  belonging  to  the  linchpin  of 
the  reel-cart  snapped,  the  wheel  on  the  driving  side  flew  off, 
and  Mr.  Garside  was  thrown  upon  his  head.  He  said  to  his 
comrade,  Mr.  Charles  Howard,  "  Go  on,  Charles,  I  think  I  can 
manage."  Mr.  Garside  was  conveyed  home,  where  he  became 
unconscious,  and  died  on  the  following  Sunday  morning. 

1865.  Assessment  for  Poor  Rates,  ^"15,573. 

1865-     September  20. — Destructive  fire  at  Mr.  Deedy's  house,  Aughton 
Park.     Estimated  loss,  ^"2,500. 

1865.     November. — Original  circular  respecting  "  Proposed  New  Church 
in  the  Parish  of  Aughton." 

"  For  many  years  past  the  inhabitants  of  Aughton  have  found 
their  Parish  Church  inadequate  to  their  requirements,  and 
unable  to  offer  them  that  certainty  of  suitable  accommodation 
with  which  it  is  so  desirable  to  welcome  all.  This  incon- 
venience the  churchwardens  have  met  from  time  to  time,  by 


GENERAL    GLEANINGS.  29 

making  additional  seats  in  every  available  space,  by  re-arranging 
the  entire  area  of  the  church,  and  by  other  improvements,  so 
that  there  is  no  further  hope  or  possibility  of  any  larger  flock 
being  gathered  together  in  the  old  fold.  By  the  last  census,  in 
1861,  the  number  of  the  inhabitants  was  1,869,  and  of  inhabited 
houses  360,  but  the  increase  since  that  period  has  materially 
changed  these  figures,  and  would  now  very  probably  represent 
100  more  houses,  and  400  or  500  more  inhabitants.  This 
position,  whilst  it  is  most  unsatisfactory,  and  a  serious  check  and 
impediment  to  spiritual  progress,  is  also  productive  of  much 
discontent.  It  will,  therefore,  be  allowed  by  everyone,  who 
lives  either  in  the  love  or  fear  of  God,  to  be  a  necessity  that 
some  further  provision  should  be  made  for  public  worship  in  a 
parish  so  circumstanced.  It  has  accordingly  been  determined 
that  immediate  exertions  should  be  used  to  build  a  new 
church  for  about  400  persons,  and  for  this  object  a  very 
eligible  site  of  a  statute  acre  of  land,  or  rather  more,  on 
Aughton  Moss,  has  been  generously  offered  as  a  gift  by 
Edward  Houghton,  Esq.,  of  Lytham.  The  Rector  of  the  parish 
is  most  anxious  that  this  offer  should  be  accepted,  and  if  the 
inhabitants  and  owners  of  property  and  other  friends  would 
unite  and  erect  the  desired  church,  and  agree  to  maintain  and 
repair  the  fabric,  he  would  very  glady  become  responsible, 
during  his  incumbency,  for  two  services  each  Sunday,  and  for 
the  spiritual  superintendence  of  the  new  flock,  by  appointing 
an  additional  curate." 

Several  copies  of  this  were  written  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  the 
more  influential  and  willing  parishioners  to  obtain  promises  of  assistance. 
The  following  is  a  list  of  the  original  subscribers  : — Colonel  Tempest, 
^300  for  Endowment  Fund;  Rev.  W.  H.  Boulton,  ^150  per  annum 
during  his  incumbency  of  the  Rectory  of  Aughton  as  stipend  for  additional 
curate  ;  Mrs.  W.  H.  Boulton,  ^"200  and  communion  plate  ;  Mr.  Mothersill, 
£\ 05  ;  Mr.  Parr,  /ioo  ;  Mr.  Underwood,  /ioo  ;  Mr.  Walthew,  /ioo  ; 


30  GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 

Miss  Walthew,  ^"50  ;  Mr.  Williams,  ^~ioo ;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carlisle,  ^"100  ; 
Mrs.  Bland,  ^"100  ;  Miss  Widdowson,  ^"100 ;  Miss  Withington,  ^"100  ; 
Miss  Mary  Withington,  £\<x> ;  Captain  Jones,  ^"50  ;  Mr.  H.  Brighouse, 
^"50  ;  Mr.  W.  Cropper,  ^"50 ;  Mr.  Wm.  Pilkington,  ^"50  ;  Mrs.  Balmer, 
£20  •  Mr.  Edmund  Balmer,  ^"50  ;  Mrs.  Mary  Parr,  ^"50  ;  Mr.  Rawsthorne, 
£^Q  ;  Mrs.  Morecroft,  ^"25  ;  Mr.  Robinson  (Ormskirk)  ^"50  ;  Mr.  Wm. 
Forshaw,  ^"50  ;  Mr.  T.  R.  Luzmore,  ^"10  ;  Mr.  Harpin,  £10.  It  was  not 
until  25th  July,  1868,  that  the  first  list  of  subscribers  was  published, 
amounting  to  ^"3,279  8s.  (See  1871.) 

1867-  March  26. — Foundation  stone  of  Christ  Church  was  laid  by  the 
Lord  Bishop  of  Chester,  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Boulton  presenting 
the  Bishop  with  a  beautiful  trowel,  bearing  this  inscription  : — 

PRESENTED    TO    RIGHT    REVEREND  WILLIAM  JACOBSON,  D.D., 
LORD    BISHOP    OF    CHESTER,    ON    LAYING   THE    FOUNDATION 
STONE    OF    CHRIST    CHURCH,  IN  THE    PARISH    OF    AUGHTON, 
.    MARCH  26,  1867. 

A  bottle,  hermetically  sealed,  containing  copies  of  the  "  Ormskirk 

Advertiser,"    "  London   Standard,"   "  Liverpool   Daily   Post," 

"  Courier,"  and  "  Mail,"  with  current  coins  of  the  realm,  was 

placed  in  the  customary  cavity  under  the  stone,  which  was  laid 

In  the  Faith  of  Jesus  Christ,  in  the  name  of  the 

Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

1871.  March. — Second  list  of  subscriptions  for  Christ  Church  Building 
Fund  appeared,  showing  a  sum  of  ^"1,708  45.  6d.,  which, 
with  the  first  one,  published  in  1868,  made  a  total  of 
^4,987  12s.  6d. 

The   following   Donations    for    special    purposes    had    also    been 
received  : — 

^300  from  Mrs.  BOULTON.  for  Reredos  and  Communion  Plate. 
300  from  Mrs.  BLAND,  for  Stained  Glass  East  Window. 
100  from  Mr.  ALFRED  R.  BOULTON,  for  Endowment. 
100  from  Mr.  GEORGE  BOULTON,  for  Endowment. 
50  from  Lady  HAMPSON,  for  Communion  Table.  &c. 


GENERAL   GLEANINGS.  31 

£$o  from  Mr.  ATHERTON,  for  Font. 
100  from  Mr.  WlTHlNGTON,  for  Pulpit  and  Endowment. 
50  from  Major  WlTHlNGTON,  for  Pulpit  and  Endowment. 
50  from  Rev.  EDWARD  WITHINGTON,  for  Pulpit  and  Endowment. 
50  from  Mrs.  W.  H.  KARSLAKE,  for  Pulpit  and  Endowment. 
50  from  Lady  HAWKINS,  for  Pulpit  and  Endowment. 

In  proportion  of  £100  for  Pulpit,  and  £200  for  Endowment. 

1871.  May. — A  circular  stated  that  the  fabric  of  the  church  (Christ 
Church)  was  complete,  including  the  pulpit,  font,  reredos,  and 
east  window,  and  that  the  seating  of  the  chancel  was  likewise 
complete,  but  that  the  seating  of  the  body  of  the  church  and 
the  furnishing  of  the  vestry  had  yet  to  be  done  ;  that  the  out- 
lay incurred  beyond  the  subscriptions  and  special  donations 
had  amounted  to  ^"2,650,  and  that  a  further  sum  of  ^1,700 
would  be  required  to  finish  the  work  according  to  the 
architect's  plans. 

1871.  Population    2,594.      Males,    1,178  ;    Females,     1,416. 

Inhabited    Houses,    510. 

1872.  Assessment  for  County  Rate,  ^"18,682. 

1872.  April. — The  interval  between  the  erection  of  Christ  Church  and 
its  opening  was  a  trying  epoch.  Financial  difficulties  for  a 
long  time  stood  in  the  way  of  the  edifice  being  opened.  The 
following  poem  appeared  under  this  date  : — 

"  ST.    LONG    LANE." 
(Not  in  the  Calendar). 

Serene  and  calm,  bold  and  high, 

Rises  the  tower  of  St.  Long  Lane, 
Proudly  uplifting  to  the  sky 

Its  glittering  pinnacles  and  fane. 

Through  bygone  years,  the  wint'ry  blast 

Hath  beat  around  its  breast  in  vain  ; 
Firm  as  a  rock  its  bulwarks  last — 

This  noble  pile  of  St.  Long  Lane. 


32  GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 

Afar  the  ship-toss'd  sailor  sees, 

O'er  crested  wave  and  watery  main, 
Welcome  as  is  propitious  breeze, 

The  distant  tower  of  St.  Long  Lane. 

The  foot-sore  traveller  stays  to  view, 

With  eager  glance  and  optic  strain, 
Marks  well  the  course  he  must  pursue 

By  Magic  Tower  of  St.  Long  Lane. 

But  yet,  withal,  some  spell  doth  hold, 

In  deep  mysterious  hidden  chain, 
Groined  arch,  and  tower,  and  turrets  bold, 

Of  Mystic  Church  of  St.  Long  Lane. 

And  though  high  soars  her  lofty  head, 

Beacon  of  ocean  and  of  plain, 
Her  aisles  are  silent  and  no  prayers  are  said 

In  hapless  fabric  of  St.  Long  Lane. 

Unused,  unopened,  and  unblest, 

A  weird-like  influence  to  her  walls  pertain  : 

Where  feathery  songsters  pipe  themselves  to  rest, 
The  only  choristers  of  St.  Long  Lane. 

And  winters  pass  and  summers  go. 

And  sunlight  shines  and  sunbeams  wane, 
O'er  cloistered  church  forlorn  below 

The  Gothic  tower  of  St.  Long  Lane. 

1872.     Commencement  of  Long  Lane  Baptist  Mission. 

These  services  were  instituted  by  Mr.  G.  W.  Johnson,  who  resided  at 
Highfield,  Long  Lane,  and  who  originally  held  them  on  his  own  premises. 
He  eventually  purchased  a  small  plot  of  land  from  the  late  Mr.  Joseph 
Crook,  and  erected  a  wooden  building  ;  he  had  the  active  assistance  of 
Mr.  Cropper,  who  then  resided  at  Moss  Bank,  and  Mr.  Jones,  of  Swanpool 
Lane.  Mr.  Johnson  dying  in  1880,  the  carrying  on  of  the  Mission 
devolved  upon  his  friends  ;  and  the  wooden  structure  becoming  unfitted 
for  worship,  the  present  chaste,  stone-fronted  chapel  was  built,  and  opened 
some  six  years  ago.  It  is  capable  of  sitting  180  persons,  and  has  attached 
to  it  a  school-room,  holding  100  scholars.  The  building  cost  over  ^"600, 
under  the  superintendence  of  Mr.  Henry  Riding,  who  also  gave  the  organ. 


GENERAL   GLEANINGS.  33 

The  Chapel  is  in  connection  with,  and  forms  a  branch  of,  Myrtle  Street 
Baptist  Chapel,  Liverpool — hence  its  name  ;  there  is  a  baptistry  under- 
neath the  flooring,  the  covering  of  which  is  movable.  There  is  no  fixed 
minister,  the  services  being  conducted  by  lay  preachers. 

1874.  July. — Opening  of  Christ  Church  Schools. 

On  the  20  January,  1873,  it  was  resolved  to  provide  a  school  capable 
of  accommodating  50  girls  and  50  infants.  ^812  was  raised  by  subscription, 
and,  using  the  chairman's  own  words,  Mr.  Walthew  said  "  That  was  a 
u  great  deal  to  get  rid  of,  but  we  managed  it.  We  paid  ^50  for  half-an- 
"  acre  of  land.  The  contract  was  ^"560,  and  we  had  to  spend  £\^  more  ; 
"  and  these,  with  other  expenses,  amount  to  ^"617.  Then  we  have  done 
'!  a  little  furnishing,  &c." 

1875.  Chancel,  Parish  Church,  rebuilt.      A  brass  plate  within  the  Com- 

munion rails  notifies  that   the  work  was  completed  in   1880. 
The  Rev.  W.  H.  Boulton  bore  all  the  expense. 

A  writer  some  60  years  ago  says  : — 

"  The  chancel,  which  is  roofed  with  oak,  consists  of  massive  arched  principals 
"  and  cross  beams,  enriched  with  bold  mouldings  ;  the  compartments  contain  quatre 
"  foil  panels  ;  the  corbels,  on  which  the  arched  principals  rest,  are  sculptured  with 
"  figures  of  angels,  clothed  in  peacocks'  feathers,  bearing  shields,  charged  with 
"  armorial  devices." 

Originally  there  were  12  of  these  shields,  and  at  the  restoration  of  the 
chancel  8  of  them  were  copied  ;  they  are  : — 

On  the  North  Side,  commencing  from  West  End — 

1.  Arms   of    Stanleys,    Earls  of  Derby  :    An   eagle  with   wings 

displayed,  preying  on  an  infant  swathed  in  a  cradle. 

2.  Sir  W.  Troutbeck  (Chester)  :  Three  trouts,  fretted. 

3.  Isle  of  Man  :  Three  legs,  couped  and  conjoined  at  the  thighs, 

in  armour. 

4.  Viscount  Arbuthnot,  or  Minshull,  or  Adam,  or  Chetwynd,  or 

Bucknell,  or  Deusell  :  A  crescent  between  three  mullets. 


34  GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 

On  the  South  Side  from  the  West— 

1.  A  variation  of  the  above. 

2.  Strange — two  lions. 

3.  Badge  of  the  Duchy  of  Lancaster  :  a  Rose. 

4.  Bold — Co.  Lancaster. 

Of  the  other  four  one  was  the  ancient  Coat  of  Warburton,  anothei 
the  Arms  of  Legh  or  Dunstanville,  and  two  unknown. 

The  old  chancel  window  was  formerly  ornamented  with  stained  glass, 
and  at  the  restoration  the  few  mutilated  fragments  that  remained  were 
destroyed. 

1876.  4  May. — Perambulation  of  the  parish  boundaries. 

Previous  to  this  date  the  boundaries  had  not  been  brought  under  the 
notice  of  the  inhabitants  for  some  60  to  100  years,  according  to  different 
accounts.  Twenty  persons  started  to  walk,  accomplishing  the  round  in 
8^  hours,  including  stoppages  at  Mr.  Harrison,  Walsh  Hall,  and  Mrs. 
Forshaw,  Vine  Villa. 

When  the  perambulators  reached  the  South-East  side  of  the  Parish, 
testimony  was  brought  to  them  that  about  six  acres  of  land,  tenanted  by 
a  farmer  in  Bickerstaffe,  had  escaped  rating  for  many  years  ;  this  incident 
proved  to  the  parishioners  that  perambulation  had.  not  become  a  useless 
ceremony. 

1877.  April. — Second  enlargement  of  churchyard  (Parish  Church). 

This  scheme  was  under  consideration  for  some  years,  involving  a 
considerable  expenditure,  the  demolition  of  the  cottages  on  the  north  side 
of  the  church,  and  the  deviation  of  the  road  through  the  glebe  land. 
The  subscriptions  amounted  to  ^"1,007,  and  the  cottage  materials  sold  for 
^"77,  which  more  than  amply  paid  for  all  wants.  The  stone  for  all 
purposes  was  the  gift  of  Wm.  Welsby,  Esq.,  the  farmers  of  the  district 
giving  all  carting  gratuitously. 


GENERAL   GLEANINGS.  35 

One  of  the  cottages  so  demolished  (occupied  by  Ann  Wilson)  was  the 
original  "  Ring  o'  Bells  "  Inn,  where  the  post  from  Liverpool  to  Preston 
stopped  to  deliver  and  take  up  the  post  bag;  it  was  here,  also,  the  ancient 
wakes  were  held  on  the  green,  and  the  constables  (1763)  "spent  at  the 
"  Ring  o'  Bells  about  the  ale  houses  on  the  principal  heads  of  the  Parish, 
"  5/-."  I  wonder  if  they  included  themselves  ? 

1877.     Miss  Swindells  bequeathed  £100  towards  the  Endowment  Fund  of 

Christ  Church. 
1877.     May  4. — Consecration  of  Christ  Church  by  the  Bishop  of  Chester. 

The  sentence  of  consecration  was  openly  read  and  promulgated  upon 
Friday,  the  fourth  day  of  May,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy- 
seven,  in  the  presence  of  R.  Vincent  Sheldon,  M.A.,  Vicar  of  Ormskirk, 
and  Rural  Dean  ;  T.  B.  H.  Blundell,  M.A.,  Rector  of  Halsall  ;  J.  G. 
Leigh,  M.A.,  Vicar,  Maghull  ;  John  Gamon,  Not.  Pub.,  Registrar  of  the 
Diocese. 

The  petition,  praying  for  the  consecration  of  the  church  and  burial 
ground,  was  presented  to  the  Bishop,  and  read,  after  which  his  lordship 
said,  "  I  gladly  comply  with  the  prayer  of  the  petition,  and  the  churchyard 
will  be  taken  first."  He  then  left  the  communion  ;  walking  down  the 
middle  aisle,  he  proceeded  to  the  burial  ground.  The  procession  then 
walked  along  the  paths  around  the  church,  repeating  the  49th  and  9Oth 
psalms  ;  re-entering  the  church,  the  24th  psalm  was  repeated  as  they 
walked  up  the  middle  aisle  to  the  chancel.  The  Bishop  having  seated 
himself  at  the  communion  table,  the  deed  of  conveyance  was  presented  to 
him,  which  he  placed  upon  the  table.  The  sermon  was  preached  by 
Canon  Sheldon,  after  which,  a  collection  for  defraying  the  expenses  of  a 
Peal  of  Bells  realised  ^"39  los. 

l88l.     Population. — 3,145.      Males,    1,522  ;    Females,    1,623. 

Inhabited  Houses,  628. 
l88l.     Severe  thunderstorm   in   the   township.      Walsh   Hall  struck  by 

lightning,  considerable  damage  being   done   to   building  and 

furniture  ;  the  inmates,  however,  escaped  without  any  serious 

injury. 


36  GENERAL   GLEANINGS. 

1884.     Assessment  for  County  Rate,  ^"26,940. 

1884.  The  following  satire  appeared  in  reference  to  certain  "  Cinderella  " 
dances,  instituted  by  ladies  and  gentlemen  residing  in  the 
Parish,  and  who  had  the  credit  of  wishing  them  to  be  quite 
au  fait. 

THE    AUGHTON-CUM-MIDNIGHT    SOCIETY. 


Ladies  and  Gentlemen  are  respectfully  invited  to  join  this  Society  for  promoting 
the  enjoyment  of  the  Select  of  the  Neighbourhood. 

The  Church,  Law,  Medicine,  Wholesale  sellers  of  Cotton,  Spice,  Timber, 
Drysalteries,  &c.,  will  be  admitted  without  guarantees.  Tradesmen  and  others  not 
admitted  excepting  with  the  following  qualifications  : — 

Income  to  be  ^925   IDS.  per  annum  ;  last  income  tax  receipt  to  be  produced. 

House  rents  must  not  be  under  ^"35  per  annum.  House  to  contain  not  less  than 
3  entertaining  and  5  bedrooms,  garden — back  and  front. 

No  person  to  be  a  member  unless  they  have  had  a  grandfather — grandmothers 
not  to  count. 

Persons  tracing  back  to  William  the  Conqueror,  will  be  admitted,  as  their  blood 
must  be  blue. 

Persons  tracing  back  to  Adam  (through  Noah  only)  will  be  admitted,  free- 
These  latter  would  do  honour  to  the  very  best  Society. 

Persons  who  drop  their  h's  will  not  be  admitted. 

Bachelors  of  aristocratic  appearance,  with  good  incomes  or  great  expectations, 
will  be  admitted  without  strict  enquiry  into  their  antecedents. 

Bachelors  of  plain  appearance  admitted  only  with  ample  incomes  &c.,  to  be  in 
proportion  to  their  several  degrees  of  plainness. 

Ladies  with  short  cut  hair  not  admitted  until  the  hair  is  4^  inches  long,  statute 
measure. 

Persons  with  feet  16^  inches  long,  not  admitted  :  it  is  a  sign  of  vulgar  birth. 

High-heeled  boots  and  improvers  can  be  worn  ;  short-bodied  dresses  excluded. 
The  Society  will  not  tolerate  such  low  taste. 

Snobbery  will  not  be  tolerated  in  this  Society.  Several  elegantly  bound  copies 
of  Thackeray's  Book  of  Snobs  kept  for  the  use  of  Members. 


GENERAL    GLEANINGS.  37 


Ladies  fond  of  quiet  admiration  will  be  provided  with  glass  shades,  carefully 
ventilated,  at  moderate  charges.  The  advantages  of  the  Society  are  manifest — 
admittance  to  this  Society  gives  the  right  of  entrance  to  the  Aughton  Upper  circle. 
No  further  guarantee  of  respectability  is  needed.  It  is  expected  the  Lord  Tom 
Noddy  may  be  induced  to  join  the  Society. 

Subscriptions,  £i  each — should  however  the  expenses  reach  £10  each,  the 
Society  may  be  wound  up. 

The  Guardians  of  the  Peace  will  be  engaged  to  protect  the  members  from  the 
vulgar  gaze. 

Further  particulars  to  be  had  from  the  Bleak  House,  Quarry  Hill. 

1885.  4  May. — Gas  introduced  into  Christ  Church,    Mrs.   D.   Williams 

bearing  all  costs,  &c. 

1886.  4    January. — R.     Coupland     Welsby,    Esq.,    created    a    County 

Magistrate. 

1886.  July. — New  pulpit  presented  to  the  Parish  Church  by  Mrs.  Bland. 

The  pulpit  is  a  handsome  oak  one,  richly  carved  and  ornamented, 
placed  on  a  slab  of  red  Irish  marble,  supported  by  a  solid  base  of  a  cream- 
coloured  Scotch  stone.  At  the  corners  of  the  pulpit  are  figures  of  the 
four  Evangelists,  with  their  appropriate  symbols,  and  the  five  panels 
contain  different  scenes  in  our  Lord's  passion  :  ist,  The  Agony  ;  2nd,  The 
Betrayal  ;  3rd,  The  Scourging  ;  4th,  The  Carrying  of  the  Cross  ;  and 
5th,  the  Crucifixion.  The  pulpit  bears  upon  it  an  inscription  stating  that 
it  was  given  to  the  Church  for  the  Glory  of  God,  and  in  memory  of 
Edward  Harper  Bland,  by  his  widow,  Catherine  Bland. 

A  lectern,  also  of  oak,  consisting  of  a  handsome  double  reading  desk, 
was  presented  by  friends  and  parishioners,  in  memory  of  the  Rev.  W.  H. 
Boulton,  the  late  Rector. 

1887.  The  Queen's  Jubilee  was  most  heartily  taken  up  in  Aughton. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  an  Address  to  Her  Majesty,  which  was 
unanimously  adopted  by  the  Parish  Vestry,  on  Friday  evening,  March 
2;th. 


38  GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 

To  the  Queen's  most  excellent  Majesty. 

MADAM, — We,  the  Rector,  Churchwardens,  and  inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of 
Aughton,  in  the  County  of  Lancaster,  in  public  vestry  assembled,  desire  to  be 
permitted  to  present  to  your  Majesty  a  humble  and  loyal  address  of  congratulation 
on  the  happy  occasion  of  the  completion  of  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  your  Majesty's 
beneficent  reign. 

We  beg  to  assure  your  Majesty  of  the  heartfelt  sincerity  with  which  we  unite 
with  your  Majesty's  loyal  subjects  throughout  the  world,  in  earnest  prayer  that  it 
may  please  Almighty  God  to  preserve  your  Majesty  in  health,  wealth,  and  happiness 
on  the  throne  of  this  empire. 

Signed,  on  behalf  of  the  Vestry,  this  twenty-fifth  day  of  March,  one  thousand 

eight  hundred  and  eighty -seven. 

CHAS.  W.  MARKHAM, 

Rector  of  Aughton,  Chairman. 

The  above,  through  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Alfred  Dickinson,  was 
carefully  engrossed  and  duly  forwarded  to  the  Home  Secretary,  and  the 
following  replies  were  received  by  the  Rector  from  the  Secretary  of 

State  and  Lord  Cross  : — 

WHITEHALL. 

2 ist  April,  1887. 

SIR, — I  am  directed  by  the  Secretary  of  State  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
letter  of  the  I4th  inst.,  forwarding  an  address  to  the  Queen  from  the  parishioners  of 
Aughton,  on  the  occasion  of  Her  Majesty  attaining  the  fiftieth  year  of  her  reign  ; 
and  I  am  to  acquaint  you  that  the  same  will  be  laid  before  the  Queen  on  Her 
Majesty's  return  from  abroad. 

I  am,  Sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  LEIGH  PEMBERTON. 
The  Rev.  C.  W.  Markham, 

Aughton  Rectory,  Ormskirk. 

WHITEHALL, 

2nd  May,  1887. 

Sir, — I  have  had  the  honour  to  lay  before  the  Queen  the  loyal  and  dutiful 
Address  of  the  parishioners  of  Aughton,  on  the  occasion  of  Her  Majesty  attaining 
the  fiftieth  year  of  her  reign,  and  I  have  to  inform  you  that  Her  Majesty  was  pleased 
to  receive  the  same  very  graciously. 

I  am,  Sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

The  Rev.  C.  W.  Markham,  CROSS. 

Aughton  Rectory,  Ormskirk. 


GENERAL   GLEANINGS.  39 

The  women's  Jubilee  offering  to  the  Queen  was  contributed  to  by  912 
women  and  girls  sending  ^"28  95.  2d.  towards  the  fund.  To  further  mark 
the  event,  a  parish  perambulation  took  place  on  i8th  May,  and,  on  June 
2Oth,  an  entertainment  and  tea  were  provided  for  every  child  in  the  parish 
attending  any  school,  also  for  aged  and  poor  persons.  Subsequently,  the 
children  and  friends,  and  most  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  parish,  assembled 
in  the  Rectory  Grounds.  After  games  and  dancing,  the  whole  company, 
numbering  some  two  thousand,  sang  a  verse  of  the  National  Anthem, 
after  which  a  display  of  rockets  and  a  huge  bonfire  brought  the  festivities 
to  an  appropriate  close. 

1888.     i  May. — Opening  of  the  Cottage  Lane  Mission  Room,  the  gift  of 
Mrs.  D.  Williams. 

1891.     Population. — 3,456.       Males,    1,629  I   Females,    1,827. 
Inhabited  Houses,  684  ;    Uninhabited,  54. 


EASTER    PASCH    OR    PACE    EGGING. 

This  custom  still  lingers  in  and  around  Aughton.  Every  Good 
Friday,  troops  of  boys,  decorated  with  many  coloured  ribbons,  go  from 
house  to  house  ;  one,  rejoicing  in  the  name  of  Tosspot,  carries  a  basket 
for  contributions  in  the  shape  of  eggs,  although  money  is  more  accept- 
able as  a  rule. 

The  troop  generally  perform  a  sort  of  rude  play  with  wooden 
swords,  &c.  ;  one  of  them  being  wounded  in  a  mimic  combat,  there  is  a 
call  for  the  doctor.  It  is  thought  by  some  to  be  a  relic  of  the  legend  of 
St.  George  and  the  Dragon.  The  following  is  the  doggerel  rhyme  usually 
recited  on  the  occasion  : — 


40  GENERAL   GLEANINGS. 

We  are  two  or  three  jolly  lads,  all  in  one  mind. 
We  have  come  a  paste-egging  if  you  will  prove  kind. — 
If  you  will  prove  kind  with  your  eggs  and  strong  beer, 
We'll  come  no  more  here  till  this  time  next  year. 
Chorus — Fol-da-diddle-ol-dy-day, 
Fol-da-diddle-ol-dy-day. 

The  first  that  comes  in  is  Lord  Nelson  you  see, 
With  a  bunch  of  blue  ribbons  tied  down  to  his  knee  ; 
He's  a  star  on  his  breast,  like  gold  it  doth  shine, 
And  I  hope  you'll  remember  it's  paste-egging  time. 
Chorus—  Fol,  &c. 

The  next  that  comes  in  is  a  bold  British  Tar, 
He  has  sailed  with  Lord  Nelson  during  the  war ; 
The  war  is   all  over,  all  England  to  view 
He  has  come  a  paste-egging  with  our  jovial  crew. 
Chorus — Fol,  &c. 

The  next  that  comes  in  is  a  Lady  so  gay, 
And  from  her  own  country  she  has  run  away  ; 
With  her  hat,  cap,  and  feathers,  she  looks   very  fine, 
And  all  her  delight  is  in   drinking  red  wine. 
Chorus — Fol,  &c. 

The  next  that  comes  in  is  old  Tosspot,  you  see  : 
He's  a  valiant  old  man  in  every  degree  ; 
He's  a  valiant  man,  and  he  wears  a  pig's  tail, 
And  all  his  delight  is  in  drinking  mulled  ale. 
Chorus — Fol,  &c. 

Good  Master  and   Mistress  that  sit  by  the  fire. 
Put  your  hands  in  your  pockets — it's  all  our  desire — 
Put  your  hands  in  your  pockets  and  pull  out  your  purse 
And  give  us  a  trifle  ;  you'll  ne'er  be  no  worse. 
Chorus — Fol-da-diddle-ol-dy-day, 
Fol-da-diddle-ol-dy-day. 


GENERAL    GLEANINGS. 


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42  GENERAL   GLEANINGS. 


*In  an  indenture  dated  22nd  December,  1703,  William  Sutch,  of 
Snape,  conveys  to  Wm.  Jameson  and  Robt.  Taylor,  two  fields,  known  as 
Little  Hey  and  Long  Hey,  and  the  said  trustees 

"  Shall  and  will  yearly  and  every  year  and  for  ever  upon  Monday 
"  following  Christmas  Day  (together  with  the  assistance  of  the 
"Rector  of  Aughton  for  the  time  being),  distribute  all  the 
"  rents  and  issues  and  profits  of  the  said  premiums  after  the 
"  discharge  of  the  said  chief  rents  and  taxes  thereof  (with  the 
"  yearly  sum  of  35.  to  be  deducted  and  allowed  out  of  the  said 
"  rents  for  the  accommodation  and  entertainment  of  the  said 
"  trustees  at  the  distribution  thereof)  in  corn,  moneys  or  other 
"  necessaries  as  they  and  the  survivors  of  them  and  their  heirs 
"  shall  think  fit,  unto  and  among  the  most  poor  and  indigent 
"  people  within  the  Parish  of  Aughton  as  in  their  discretion 
"  shall  be  most  poor." 

On  the  ist  January,  1742,  a  lease  of  these  Aughton  Poor's  Land 
was  granted  by  Charles  Stanley  and  others  to  John  Underwood,  of 
Uplytherland. 


THE     RECTORS. 


THE     RECTORS. 


HE  very  earliest  mention  of  a  church  occurs  in  Edward  the 
Second's   reign,    for   among    other    division    of    property, 
"  the   advowson   of    the   Church   of    the   same   Manor    of 
Aghton  "  is  to  be  held  by  one  "  Richard  le  Walays  and 
his  heirs  male  by  Mabill  his  wife." 

Aughton  does  not  appear  in  the  Valor  Ecclesiasticus  of  Pope 
Nicholas,  in  the  year  1291,  and  probably  the  formation  of  the  Parish 
would  date  from  the  second  Edward's  time.  Anciently  it  is  supposed  to 
have  formed  part  of  Ormskirk,  or  Halsall.  In  1341  subsidy  was  granted 
to  Edward  the  Third  of  the  Ninth  Lamb,  the  Ninth  Fleece  and  the  Ninth 
Sheaf,  and  the  following  valuation  appears  in  "  The  Inquisition  of  the 
Wapentake  of  Derby,  taken  at  Prescot  on  Wednesday  next  before  the 
Feast  of  St.  Matthew  the  Apostle,  in  the  1 5  year  of  the  reign  of  King 
Ed:  3,  after  the  Conquest,  before  the  abbot  of  Furneys  and  his  fellows, 
to  inquire  and  inform  themselves  of  the  true  value  of  the  ninths.  The 
church  of  Aghton  is  not  taxed.  The  true  value  of  the  ninths  of  fleeces 
and  lambs  of  the  same  parish  is  100  shillings,  for  which  Aghton  with 
Lytherland  is  answerable." 

From  the  32nd  Report  of  Deputy  Keeper  of  Records,  p.  342,  in  1362, 
"  Henry  le  Walsh  (corrupted  from  le  Walays)  parson  of  the  church  at 
Aghton,"  Richard  le  Walsh,  and  two  others  paid  fines  to  the  Duke  of 
Lancaster  for  property.  This  is  the  earliest  mention  of  any  parson  or 
rector  that  we  have.  Later,  in  1470,  in  a  deed  relating  to  Bickerstaffe, 
Richard  Flechere  and  Thomas  Oliver  are  styled  "  chaplains,"  and,  though 
it  is  not  stated  of  where,  they  would  probably  be  of  Aughton. 


46  THE  RECTORS. 


Roger  Bradshawe 

Died  in  the  year  1512.  He  was  presumably  a  son  or  grandson  of 
Roger  Bradshaugh  (see  General  Annals,  1418).  According  to  Baines' 
History  of  Lancashire,  the  Manor  of  Litherland,  and  one-third  part  of  the 
Manor  of  Aughton,  &c.,  with  the  advowson  of  the  church,  passed,  in  1371, 
into  the  family  of  Bradshagh.  At  the  death  of  Roger,  his  kinsman, 

1512.  William   Bradshawe 

Was  instituted  yth  February,  1512,  on  the  presentation  of  John 
Voysey,  Archdeacon  of  Chester.  The  earlier  Burial  Register  contains  the 
name  of  a  George  Bradshawe,  who  died  in  1 544. 

1528.  Brian   Morecroft,    B.D., 

Was  presented  to  the  Rectory,  I4th  July,  1528.  In  the  Duchy 
Pleadings,  1529,  in  which  he  is  called  "  Parson  of  Aughton  Church,"  he  is 
Plaintiff  in  a  suit  with  Robert  Halsall  Defendant,  concerning  trespass  and 
illegal  seizure  of  Tithes.  He  was  Rector  during  the  great  ecclesiastical 
changes  of  Henry  VIII.'s  reign,  which,  however,  did  not  affect  him  ;  for 
he  retained  the  living  until  his  death,  which  is  recorded  in  the  Burial 
Register  as  happening  in  1547,  and  is  the  first  Rector  mentioned  in  the 
books  as  having  been  buried  here. 

According  to  the  Valor  Ecclesiasticus  of  1535,  it  appears  that  this 
rector  obtained  from  the  living  ^"14  155.  4d.,  viz.,  from  the  glebe  5s.,  from 
grain  tithes  ^"u,  from  tithe  at  the  paschal  feast  ^"4  45.  8d. ;  deducting 
payments  for  "  Church  gardens  "  55.,  and  for  synods  and  procurations  to 
Archdeacon  of  Chester  93.  4d.  A  rent  of  i8d.  was  also  payable  by  the 
Rector  of  Aughton  to  Peter  Prescot,  Chantry  priest,  at  the  Altar  of  our 
Lady  in  Ormskirk. 

1548.    1 8  May.  Edward   Morecroft 

Was  inducted  Rector  on  the  presentation  of  Thomas  Mossok  and 
William  Moorecroft.  From  the  Calendar  of  the  Duchy  Pleadings,  it  seems  a 


THE  RECTORS.  47 


dispute  was  pending  as  to  the  Right  of  Presentation  to  the  Parsonage  and 
advowson  of  the  Church.  Randoll  Kyrkeby  and  "  Sir "  *  Thomas 
Kyrkeby,  Clerk,  being  plaintiffs,  and  William  Morecroft  and  others 
defendants. 

Church  matters  in  general  were  in  an  upset,  presumably  on  account  of 
"  reformation  "  times  ;  the  same  "  Thomas  Kyrkby,  Priest,"  was  plaintiff 
in  another  suit  with  Thomas  Halsall  defendant,  concerning  assault  and 
interruption  of  Church  Service.  Further  litigation  took  place  between 
Gabriel  Hesketh  and  Richard  Molyneux,  and,  in  1550,  the  advowson  was 
still  in  dispute.  Edward  Morecrofte's  name  appears  with  that  of  "Dns. 
Thomas  Walche  Cur"  as  attending  a  visitation  in  1552,  for  taking  Inven- 
tories of  Goods  in  the  Churches  and  Chapels  of  Lancashire.  This  most 
quaint  inventory,  given  below,  throws  a  light  on  the  condition  of  the 
Church  at  the  time  of  the  Reformation,  and  may  be  with  interest 
contrasted  with  that  taken  in  Rector  Vanbrugh's  time,  1787. 

"  This  Indenture  made  the  iij  day  of  October  In  the  sixt  yere  of 
"  the  Reigne  of  our  Souaigne  lord  Edward  the  sixt  by  the  grce 
"  of  god  Kyng  of  England  fraunce  and  Ireland  Defendo1  of  the 
"  feithe  and  of  the  church  of  England  &  Ireland  in  ei  the  the 
"  supreme  hedde  Between  the  right  honorable  Edward  Erie  of 
"  Derbie  of  the  honorable  order  of  the  garter  Knight  Thomas 
"  Gerrard  Knight  and  Thomas  Boteler  esquier  comissions  to 
"  our  Souaigne  lord  the  Kyng  apon  the  behalf  of  his  highnes 
''  of  the  one  partie  And  Richard  Starkee  &  Ric  Letherbarow 
"  churchwardens  of  the  p'ish  «HttIl€i  ©f  $.$1®©$  in  the 
"  the  hundreth  of  Weste  derbye  in  the  countie  of  Lane'  of  the 
"  other  ptie  Witnesith  that  wher  the  said  comissions  haue 
"  delyvit  at  the  tyme  of  Sealing  &  delyvie  hereof  to  the  said 
"  churchwardens  three  bells  i'  the  steple  ij  lyttil  bells  i'  the 
"  churche  iij  vestmets  ij  albs  iij  fftniice  iij  stoales  ij  altare  clothes 
"  i  chalice  ij  candilsticks  ij  sensors  A  pixe  brasse  ij  towells  ij 
"  kercheffs  iij  corp'uses  ij  corses  and  a  sute  for  a  diacon  & 

*  This  old  ecclesiastical  prefix  was  in  general  use  in  the  i6th  Century. 


48  THE  RECTORS. 


"  subdiacon  belonging  to  the  same  churche  saulfely  to  be  kept 
"  to  the  use  of  our  Souaigne  lord  the  Kyng  The  said  church- 
"  wardens  for  theym  &  their  executors  do  covenant  and  graunt 
"  by  these  p'sents  to  and  w'  the  said  comyssions  that  the 
"  p'misses  or  any  pte  therof  shall  not  at  any  time  hereafter 
"  be  alienated  Imbecillid  or  otherwise  put  away  from  our  said 
"  Souaigne  lord  but  shalbe  aunswarable  and  fourth-commyng 
"  to  thuse  of  his  highnes  At  suche  tyme  &  tymes  as  his  mate 
"  or  his  honorable  counsaill  shall  demande  the  same  In 
"  wytnes  whereof  the  parties  afforesaid  to  these  p'sents 
"  entchaungeablie  haue  put  their  scales  the  day  &  yere  aboue 
"  wrytten 

"  Md  ij  other  chalices  &  a  coape  were  by  the  consent  of  the 
"  holle  pische  lade  to  pledge  to  Sr-  bryan  Morecroft  decessid 
"  iij  yers  befoare  the  first  Invetoire  was  made  as  apperith 
"  by  the  same  and  the  money  bestowed  upon  the  building 
"  of  the  lie  in  the  body  of  ye  same  church. 

"  Md>  one  of  the  ij  chalices  conteyned  in  the  laste  Invetoire  was 
"  pledgit  to  Petr-  Stanley  for  xls.  aboute  one  yere  last  paste 
"  &  the  money  bestowed  upon  ye  repacon  of  the  same  church 
"  as  the  wardens  do  alledge  which  is  watyng." 

In  the  Burial  Registers  I  find,  in  February,  1566,  the  name  of  "  Thm. 
Walshe,  clerke  "  ;  some  one  of  recent  research  has  inserted  a  query — 
"  Rector  supposed  ?  "  Be  that  as  it  may,  it  is  evident  that  he  was  clerk, 
or  curate,  under  this  rector,  and  will  be  the  same  Thoma  Walshe  who 
signs  as  witness  a  deed  executed  in  1530,  concerning  land  in  u  le  towne 
greene." 

In  17  Eliz.  (1575)  the  advowson  of  the  church  passed  into  the  hands 
of  Bartholemew  Hesketh,  Esq.,  in  which  year  a  dispute  arose,  which  he 
defended,  concerning  the  tithes  of  corn,  grain,  hemp,  and  flax.  All  these 
church  troubles  may  be  understood  in  one  way,  when  it  is  known  that 
Morecroft  was  returned  as  the  "  preacher,"  and  was  non-resident. 


THE  RECTORS.  49 


In  the  early  part  of  Queen  Mary's  reign,  a  muster  of  soldiers  was 
made  in  Lancashire,  the  Parson  of  Aughton  having  to  provide  12  men. 

Morecroft  held  the  living  until  1577,  when 

1577.    7  Feb.  John  Nutter,  B.D., 

Was  presented  in  succession  to  Edward  Morecroft.  His  name  has 
variously  been  written  Nutter  and  Nuttall,  and  also  was  designated  by 
Queen  Elizabeth  as  "  her  golden  ass,"  on  account  of  his  great  wealth. 
He  was  a  great  pluralist,  holding  the  livings  of  Sefton  (to  which  rectory 
he  was  presented  in  1567),  Walton-on-the-Hill,  Bebington,  Barrow, 
besides  being  Dean  of  Chester  (installed  1859).  Nutter  principally  seemed 
to  have  resided  at  Sefton,  and  made  himself  very  conspicuous  in  local 
history  by  his  zeal  in  his  persecutions  against  Recusancy. 

When  "Good  Queen  Bess"  came  to  the  Throne,  in  1558,  she  very 
speedily  prepared  decisive  measures  with  respect  to  the  public  form  of 
religion.  The  Protestants  under  the  previous  reign  had  been  grievously 
persecuted,  and,  before  Elizabeth  had  been  many  months  a  Queen,  she  reso- 
lutely set  to  work  to  mould  her  subjects  to  her  idea  of  orthodoxy  ;  not  only 
the  Romanists,  but  the  Puritans,  suffering  from  the  rigid  laws  she  enacted. 
Nowhere  in  England,  perhaps,  were  the  Romanists  more  numerous  than 
they  were  in  Lancashire,  and  a  large  number  of  the  oldest  and  most 
powerful  families  still  adhered  to  the  old  faith.  All  those,  therefore,  who, 
on  religious  or  any  other  grounds,  refused  obedience  to  the  laws  affecting 
religion,  were  stigmatised  as  recusants,  although  it  is  chiefly  Catholics  in 
communion  with  the  See  of  Rome  who  are  known  by  that  name. 
If  a  recusant  "  refuse  to  come  to  the  churche  to  heare  divine  service,"  he 
was  at  the  mercy  of  every  informer  or  ill-disposed  neighbour  who  chose 
to  report  him  ;  if  he  said  or  sang  mass,  a  fine  of  200  marks  was  imposed, 
or  one  year's  imprisonment  ;  if  only  hearing  mass,  100  marks,  or  one 
year's  imprisonment  ;  every  one  above  16  years  of  age,  absenting  himself 
from  church  on  Sunday  and  Holy  Days,  paid  ^"20  per  lunar  month  ;  and 
if  he  was  a  married  man,  he  was  further  coerced  into  another  £20  a  month 


50  THE  RECTORS. 


for  the  recusancy  of  his  wife.  The  names  of  all  recusants  in  the  Kingdom 
were  returned  to  Government ;  a  special  ecclesiastical  council  was  formed 
for  each  district,  which  furnished  a  statement  of  all  suspected  persons. 

From  the  State  Papers  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  in  a  "  vewe  of  ye  state  of 
ye  Countie  Palatine  of  Lane.,"  we  find  Aughton  had  500  communicants, 
and  the  Parson  was  "  Mr.  Nutter,  Dene  of  Chester."  The  Blundells,  of 
Crosby,  suffered  much  for  conscience  sake.  Richard  Blundell  died  in  jail, 
at  Lancaster,  i9th  March,  1591  ;  and  his  son,  William  Blundell,  mentions 
Nutter  in  a  book  still  preserved  at  Crosby,  in  which  he  gives  an  interesting 
account  of  his  sufferings  in  the  cause  of  his  religion  ;  he  says,  that 

"  Upon  the  2oth  or  2ist  November  (1592)  I  was  againe  apprehended 
"  by  John  Nutter,  Parson,  of  Sephton,  and  divers  others 
"  assisting  him  "  ; 

another  gentleman,  named  Edmund  Holme,  of  Maghull,  in  a  letter  dated 
1568,  writes  : — 

"  After  being  examined  regarding  certain  matters  of  conscience,  both 
"  at  Ormskirk  and  Aughton,"  that  "  from  the  P'sonage  of 
"  Aughton  they  went  into  Maghull,  and  here  did  examine  my 
"  wyffe." 

In  the  religious  record  of  other  families  in  these  times,  we  find  that — 

"  Richard  Molyneux,  of  Conscoe,  Esquiere,  in  Aughton,  of  small 
"  lyving,  was  of  verie  bad  note  in  religion,  his  wife  a  recusant "; 
but,  that  "  James  Scarisbrecke,  of  Aughton,  was  soundly 
"  affected  in  religion." 

Among  others  returned  as  obstinate  were,  "  William  Hesketh, 
"  gent.,  of  Aughton." 

Bartholomew  Hesketh,  who  was  Lord  of  the  Manor  at  this  time,  was 
also  in  the  "List  of  Recusants"  (see  Burial  Registers,  1600),  and  the 
names  of  ''  Elizabeth  Stanley  and  Anne  her  daughter  "  likewise  appear. 


THE  RECTORS. 


Rector  Nutter  provided  at  a  muster  of  horses,  in  1585,  one  horse, 
which,  when  fully  fitted,  was  valued  at  ^"25. 

He  died  suddenly  as  he  was  at  supper  at  Chester,  3oth  March,  1602, 
and  was  buried  at  Sefton,  i8th  April  ;  his  will  being  proved  at  Chester 
the  same  year. 

1602.  Samuel  Hankinson 

Was  instituted  on  9th  June,  44  Elizabeth  (1602),  on  the  presentation  of 
Gabriel  Hesketh.  According  to  Baines'  Lancashire,  he  was  a  connection 
of  "  Sir  "  Thomas  Hankinson,  Curate  of  Farnworth.  He  held  the  Rectory 
only  a  short  time,  vacating  on  the  charge  of  simony. 

1607.  Nicholas  Bannister. 

Instituted  3oth  Jan.,  1607.  King  Jarnes  First  claimed  the  patronage 
of  the  living  owing  to  lapse  of  time  ;  and  instituted  Nicholas  Banester,  or 
Banastre,  although  in  our  burial  register  he  is  denominated  "Mr.  Nicholas 
Bannister,  Doctor,"  and  died  in  1645,  apparently  intestate  ;  for  an  inven- 
tory of  his  goods  was  filed  and  administration  granted.  By  an  order  dated 
28th  October,  1608,  for  the  "  fyndinge  of  horses,  armes,  &c.,"  I  find  the 
name  of  "  Mr.  Banister,  pson  of  Aughton,"  bracketed  with  that  of  "  Mr. 
"  Meade,  vicar  of  Prescott,"  to  provide  "  a  corslett  furnished." 

1646.  James  Worrall. 

During  the  Commonwealth,  Presbyterianisrn  had  superseded  Episco- 
pacy, and  James  Worrall  accepted  this  form  of  church  government.  He 
was  presented  to  the  living  nth  April,  1646.  By  virtue  of  an  Act  of 
Parliament,  passed  on  the  8th  June,  1649 — entitled:  "An  act  for  the 
"  providing  maintenance  of  preaching  ministers  and  other  pious  uses  "- 
commissioners  were  appointed  in  each  county  to  report  upon  the  state  of 
each  parish,  and  to  forward  their  reports  to  London.  The  following  is  the 
report  concerning  this  parish,  and  among  the  commissioners  are  the  names 
of  "Robti  Biccarstaffe  de  Aughton,  gen.,"  and  "  Nicki  Woosie  de  Aughton, 
gen."  This  extract  from  the  Commonwealth  Surveys  gives  us  a  close 


52  THE  RECTORS. 


insight  into  the  condition  of  the  parish.  The  incumbent,  minister,  or 
orthodox  divine,  as  he  is  severally  called,  evidently  did  not  get  the  full 
rent  from  his  lands,  &c.,  although  his  income  from  tithes  amounted  to  ^"95 
per  annum. 

"  Wee  present  that  the  Towneshipp  of  Aughton  is  a  Litle  pish  of 
"  itselfe,  and  that  there  is  within  the  said  Towneship  a  church 
"  called  Aughton  ch,  and  a  psonage  house  with  barnes  and 
"  outbuildings  thereunto  belonging,  as  alsoe  about  Three  acres 
"  of  glebe  land  in  the  houlding  of  Mr.  James  Worrall,  the  now 
"  Incumbent,  worth  ffifty  shillings  p.  ann.  And  wee  further 
"  find  that  Hugh  Charles,  of  Aughton,  yeoman,  is  now 
"  possessed  of  a  Cottage  and  some  smale  pt.  of  other  glebe 
u  lands  belonging  to  the  said  Rectory,  ffor  wch  hee  payeth  to 
"  the  said  Incumbent  the  yearly  Rent  of  Twenty  pence,  yett 
"  wee  find  if  the  said  cottage  and  small  glebe  lands  were  sett 
"  to  the  full  are  worth  Thirty  shillings  p.  ann.  ;  and  wee 
"further  find  Parcivall  Bicstaffe,  of  Aughton,  Tailor,  is  now 
"  possessed  of  another  cottage  and  about  halfe  a  rood  of 
"  ground  ;  alsoe  pcell  of  the  said  glebe  lands,  for  wch  hee 
"  payeth  to  the  said  Incumbent  the  yearly  rent  of  Twopence. 
"  Nevertheless,  wee  find  that  if  the  sd  last  menconed  cottage 
"  and  pcell  of  glebe  lands  (were  it  sett  to  the  full)  would 
"  Amount  unto  six  shillings  p.  ann.,  and  wee  say  that  the  said 
"  Mr.  James  Worrall  is  Minister  att  Aughton  afforesaid,  is  an 
"  orthodox  divine  of  godly  lyffe  and  conusacon,  and  doth 
"  observe  the  Lord's  Dayes  and  Dayes  of  humiliacon  and 
"thanksgiving  appoynted  by  Act  of  pliament,  only  the  I3th 
11  of  this  month  appoynted  a  Day  of  humiliacon  by  Act  of 
"  pliament,  hee  observed  not  in  regard  hee  was  visited  with 
"  sickness  and  not  able,  neither  had  notice  as  was  given  to 
"  others  whereby  hee  might  have  ordered  for  that  Day,  as  wee 
"  are  informed,  and  that  hee  receiveth  for  his  Salary  and  pay 
"  tythes  with  in  the  said  pish,  wch  are  worth  ffower  score  and 


THE  RECTORS.  53 


"  fifteene  pounds  p.  arm.,  and  wee  find  that  the  said  church 
"  standeth  neare  unto  the  middle  of  the  said  Townepp,  and 
u  soe  very  convenient  for  the  Inhabitants  that  it  is  nott  fitt 
"  any  pt  of  the  said  Townepp  should  be  taken  from  the  pish 
"  and  annexed  unto  any  others,  as  wee  verily  beleeve." 

1651.  Peter  Stanynought. 

The  date  of  death  of  the  last  Rector  or  Minister  has  not  been 
ascertained,  but  it  would  seem  to  have  occurred  in  1651,  for  Stanynought 
was  put  into  this  living  in  succession  to  Mr.  Worrall  on  the  6th  March, 
1651.  According  to  "Bailies'  Lancashire,"  he  was  born  in  1626,  and 
received  his  early  education  at  Westminster  College  ;  and,  in  1642,  was 
elected  to  Christ  Church,  Oxford.  He  took  his  B.A.,  but,  being  unable 
or  unwilling  to  answer  the  questions  put  at  the  Pembroke  Visitation, 
May  loth,  1648,  he  was  excluded.  On  his  expulsion  from  the  University, 
he  became  a  tutor  ;  he  was  admitted  to  holy  orders,  and  was  appointed, 
along  with  Michael  Briscowe,  3oth  June,  1651,  "to  officiate  and  serve  the 
Cure  "  of  Liverpool,  but  resigned  on  being  presented  to  this  living,  which 
had  been  obtained  for  him,  as  is  believed,  by  the  influence  of  Lady  Derby. 
Though  he  entered  upon  his  benefice  in  1651,  the  church  being  under 
Presbyterian  rule,  he  was  not  formally  instituted  until  27th  October,  1662, 
when  Episcopacy  had  been  restored.  At  the  restoration  of  Charles  II. 
his  friends  petitioned  the  king,  and  he  was  appointed  king's  preacher, 
with  the  annual  stipend  of  ^50,  in  addition  to  his  rectorial  income. 
Nathaniel  Heywood,  the  Nonconformist  Vicar  of  Ormskirk,  enjoyed 
this  exhibition  of  ^"50  a  year,  and  this  circumstance  gave,  naturally,  great 
offence,  for,  in  Heywood's  works,  we  read  : — 

"  At  the  return  of  King  Charles  II.,  one,  Mr.  Stanninghauh, 
"  Minister  of  Aughton,  about  two  miles  from  Ormskirk,  when 
"  receiving  ^"148  a  year,  rode  up  to  London,  and,  by  the  help 
"  of  friends,  surreptitiously  obtained  the  annuity  of  ^"50  to  be 
"  settled  upon  himself ;  which  gave  occasion  to  some  persons 
"  to  reflect  on  a  sermon  Mr.  Heywood  preached  at  Ormskirk, 


54  THE  RECTORS. 


"  on  a  day  of  thanksgiving  for  the  King's  Restoration,  from 
"II.  Samuel  xix.,  30. — 'Yea,  let  him  take  all,  forasmuch  as  my 
"  '  lord  the  king  is  come  again  in  peace  unto  his  own  house.'  " 

The  appointment  called  King's  or  Queen's  Preachers  was  to  remedy 
the  inadequacy  of  the  endowments  of  poor  livings.  There  were  four  of 
these  preacherships,  for  which  Queen  Elizabeth's  Parliament  granted  ^"200. 

In  Heywood's  Life,  it  further  says,  that,  "  though  this  Mr. 
"  Stanninghaugh's  living  was  ^"148  a  year,  and  his  tenement  worth  ^"30 
"  yearly,  besides  the  annual  grant  of  ^"50,  and  though  he  had  no  child, 
"yet  he  left  nothing  at  his  decease  but  debts,  and  his  wife  in  poor 
"  circumstances." 

Mr.  Stanynought  held  the  living  until  his  death,  which  is  recorded  in 
the  "  Note  Book "  of  his  neighbour,  William  Blundell,  of  Crosby 
(published  in  a  "A  Cavalier's  Note  Book") — "Mr.  Staninought,  Parson  of 
"Aughton,  February  28,  1674";  although  he  was  not  buried  until 
7th  April,  according  to  the  Burial  Register. 

In  the  Will  of  John  Osbaldeston,  of  Strand-on-the-Green,  dated  26th 
March,  1665,  the  testator  leaves  ^"50  to  his  "kinsman,  Peter  Staninought, 
"  Rector  of  the  Parish  Church  of  Aughton,  in  Lancashire." 

1674.  Alexander  Baguley 

Was  presented,  on  the  decease  of  Stanynought,  to  the  rectory  on  27 
June,  1674,  by  Gabriel  Hesketh.  He  was  deprived  of  his  appointment 
for  simony. 

1679.  John  Brownsword. 

The  vacancy  in  the  rectory  by  the  deprivation  of  Mr.  Baguley  was, 
on  the  presentation  of  Charles  II.,  filled  by  John  Brownsword,  who  was 
instituted  i6th  May,  1679.  Mr.  Brownsword  received  his  education  at 
Queen's  College,  Oxford,  where  he  graduated  B.A.,  1673,  and  M.A.,  1676. 
He  held  the  living  till  his  death,  which  is  registered  among  the  burials, 
"  1700,  John  Brownsword,  Rector,  buried  June  25."  Two  of  his  sons  are 
registered  among  the  baptisms. 


THE  RECTORS.  55 


1700.  Christopher  Sudell. 

This  was  the  last  rector  that  any  of  the  Heskeths  nominated — a  name 
which  had  been  associated  with  the  gift  of  the  living  for  many  generations. 
It  was  on  the  presentation  of  Alexander  Hesketh  that  Mr.  Sudell  was 
instituted,  8th  October,  1700.  Some  irregularity  appears  to  have  occurred, 
for  he  resigned,  i6th  November,  and  was  re-admitted  2oth  November,  in 
the  same  year,  on  the  joint  presentation  of  the  above  Alexander  Hesketh 
and  Robert  Scarisbrick.  He  only  held  the  living  for  a  few  months,  finally 
resigning  the  following  January.  It  appears  by  our  registers  that  he 
married  Mrs.  Margaret  Jameson,  of  Aughton,  2ist  November,  1704,  by 
license.  He  was  as  great  a  pluralist  as  Rector  Nutter,  being  successively 
Vicar  of  Huyton  and  Leyland,  and,  according  to  Ormskirk  Burial  Register, 
"  Prebendary  of  Chester,  Rector  of  Trinity  there,  and  of  North  Meols,  in 
"the  County  of  Lancashire."  He  died  8th  August,  1735,  and  was  buried 
in  the  little  chapel  of  the  Stanleys,  of  Cross  Hall,  in  Ormskirk  Church. 
He  was  allied  to  this  branch  of  the  Stanleys  by  the  marriage  of  his 
daughter,  Jane,  to  Charles  Stanley,  Esq.,  who  was  brother  of  Dr.  Thomas 
Stanley,  Rector  of  Winwick. 

1700-1.  Robert  Hindley. 

When  Christopher  Sudell  resigned,  William  III.  presented  Robert 
Hindley,  who  was  instituted  6th  January,  1701.  During  his  incumbency, 
he  erected  a  school-house  upon  his  glebe  land,  and  also  rebuilt  the  Rectory 
at  his  own  expense.  For  the  full  particulars  of  this  "  fair  commodious 
house,"  and  other  information  of  the  then  existing  state  of  the  Parish,  I 
give  the  following 

Extract  from  the  Public  Episcopal  Registry  at  Chester. 

1716.  Aughton. — The  Terrier  for  the  Parish  of  Aughton  pursuant  to  ye 
Instructions  at  ye  end  of  Bishops  book  of  articles  returned  at  ye 
primary  visitation  of  the  Right  Revd.  Francis  Lord  Bishop  of 
ye  Diocesie  of  Chester  at  Wigan  2Oth  June  1716. 


56  THE  RECTORS. 


The  old  parsonage  being  extreamly  ruinous  and  upon  inspection 
found  incapable  of  tolerarable  Repaires  was  by  ye  Bsp  of 
Chester's  Lycence  taken  down  in  ye  year  1711  and  a  fair 
commodious  house,  but  at  ye  sole  and  only  expence  and  by  ye 
pious  generosity  of  ye  psent  Rectr,  was  built  a  little  eastward 
from  ye  former  foundation  consisting  of  1 7  usefull  Rooms  for 
Reception,  Lodging-offices,  and  Garrets,  with  one  good  staircase 
the  whole  in  length  from  North  to  South  not  exceeding  14  yds 
and  in  breadth  from  East  to  West  not  exceeding  12  yards. 
To  which  is  added  a  new  Stable  consisting  of  2  small  Bays 
2  garners  and  a  Back  kitchen  built  by  ye  afsd  Rector  ye  Revd. 
Mr.  Hindley  now  Incumb. 

Also  2  dwelling  houses  contiguous  to  ye  church  yard  ye  one 
occupied  by  Wm.  Richardson,  Clerk,  comprehending  five  small 
Bays  of  Buildings  and  a  little  Barn  or  Stable  of  2  Bays  with  a 
garden  or  Backside.  The  other  to  ye  North  of  ye  church  yard 
in  Lease  to  Ed.  Bickersteth  deceased  and  his  heires,  and  consists 
likewise  of  5  small  Bays  of  Building. 

The  Custome  of  Tything  in  our  Psh  is  of  corn  Tiths  ye  eleventh 
Shook  or  Rider,  and  in  default  the  eleventh  sheaf  to  ye  Parson. 
For  ye  Easter  Roll  fivepence  House  yard  and  offering. 

From  6d.  to  2s.  6d.  the  acre  for  Tyth  Hay,  Eight  shillings  the  acre 
for  potatoes  and  so  proportionably,  or  6d.  ye  Bushell  setting. 
Three  halfpennys  cow  and  calf  and  when  not  taken  in  kind  2s. 
for  every  Tith  Lamb  Tith,  Pigg  &c  and  6d.  for  every  Tyth  fleece. 

By  us, 

Robt.  Taylor,  Jon  Valentine,  Churchwardens. 

Mr.  Hindley  married  a  sister  of  Mr.  Thomas  Heys,  by  whom  he  had 
a  son,  who  died  in  his  life  time  ;  and  for  whom,  in  anticipation,  he  had 
purchased  the  next  presentation  to  the  Rectory  from  Mr.  Hesketh,  and 
Mr.  Whalley,  the  then  mortgagee  of  the  manor.  Mr.  Hindley  was  buried 
in  Aughton  Church,  I2th  November,  1720,  and  was  followed  by 


THE  RECTORS.  57 


1721.  Thomas  Atherton. 

The  right  of  presentation  had  for  this  term  descended  to  Thomas 
Heys,  and  Thomas  Atherton  was  instituted  I3th  July,  1721.  Our  registers 
are  rich  with  notices  of  this  rector's  family.  First  we  have  a  burial  of  a 
son,  Thomas,  "  son  of  ye  Rev.  Mr.  Atherton,  Rect.  of  Aughton,"  20 
Apr"-,  1722  ;  this  would  be  his  eldest  son,  who  was  born  at  Chipping,  near 
Preston,  in  1710  (by  his  first  wife,  who  died  in  1717).  In  the  year 
following,  1723,  there  is  a  baptism  of  a  "Thomas,  son  of  Thomas 
Atherton,  Rect.  of  Aughton  ; "  and  this  second  son,  Thomas,  was  buried 
in  1730,  April  2ist,  being  registered  as  "  Thos.,  son  of  Thomas  Atherton, 
Rector,  with  aff."  There  is  a  black  marble  stone  in  the  church,  but  un- 
fortunately not  accessible  (being  under  the  choir  stalls  on  the  north  side  of 
the  chancel),  to  the  memory  of  one  of  these  sons,  most  likely  to  the  elder 
one.  Beside  these  two  sons,  he  had  a  daughter,  Katherine,  baptised  I2th 
July,  1724.  His  own  death  occurs  in  "  1734,  The  Rev.  Mr.  Atherton  wth 
aff.,  Nov.  15."  His  will  was  proved  8th  Feb.,  1735,  in  which  he  refers  to 
lands  in  Chipping,  where  he  was  rector  previous  to  his  presentation  to 
Aughton,  mentioning  his  wife,  Katherine,  and  his  only  daughter  of  the 
same  name. 

1734.  Thomas  Plumbe,  M.A., 

Was  the  second  son  of  John  Plumbe,  of  Plumbes  Hall,  Wavertree, 
near  Liverpool,  and  was  instituted,  on  the  presentation  of  his  father,  2oth 
Feb.,  1734. 

Originally  the  family  of  Plumbe  belonged  to  Aldebarrow,  county 
Suffolk.  We  find  them  afterwards  in  Marston,  Leicestershire,  whence  one 
of  the  family,  having  ruined  himself  in  the  turbulent  times  of  the  Civil 
Wars  in  Charles'  reign,  came  and  settled  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Prescot. 
John  Plumbe  was  a  lawyer  in  Liverpool,  and  bought  "  ye  manour  with 
advowson  appendant  "  from  Alexander  Hesketh  in  1718.  Hesketh  had 
been  in  difficulties  for  some  time,  and  had  been  in  treaty  with  Richard 
Norris,  of  Speke  Hall  (who  was  Mayor  of  Liverpool  in  1700),  to  sell  his 
estates  and  advowson  of  the  church,  but  the  negotiations  fell  through  (see 


58  THE  RECTORS. 


General  Annals,  1705).  John  Plumbe  owned  the  land  on  which  Plumbe 
Street  was  built,  the  site  of  which  is  entirely  obliterated,  and  is  now  covered 
by  the  Lancashire  and  Yorkshire  Railway  Station,  Tithebarn  Street.  The 
Rev.  Thomas  Plumbe,  the  rector  under  notice,  had  two  sons — John,  who 
died  28th  Jan.,  1796,  and  whose  memory  is  perpetuated  by  a  mural  tablet  in 
the  church  (see  Burial  Register,  1796),  and  who  died  childless  ;  the  other 
son,  Thomas,  had  an  only  daughter,  who  became  the  wife  of  Benjamin 
Rawson,  of  Barley  Hall.  This  rector  held  the  living  for  35  years,  dying 
on  29th  Nov.,  and  was  buried  in  the  church  2nd  Dec.,  1769. 

1769.  William  Plumbe,  B.A., 

Was  the  fifth  son  of  William  Plumbe,  elder  brother  of  the  preceding 
Rector,  and  was  instituted  26th  December,  1769.  He  married  the 
daughter  of  Samuel  Kirk,  of  Whitehough,  Derbyshire,  and  had  two 
daughters,  Anne  and  Sarah  ;  the  latter  became  the  wife  of  her  cousin 
John  Plumbe-Tempest,  who  was  the  eldest  surviving  son  of  Captain 
Thomas  Plumbe  (the  grandson  of  John  Plumbe  the  first,  of  Aughton), 
who  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Captain  John  Tempest,  third  son  of 
Sir  George  Tempest  of  Tong  Hall.  John  Plumbe  assumed  the  arms  and 
name  of  Tempest  as  heir-general  of  the  Tempests,  by  Royal  license,  ist 
June,  1824.  He  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son,  Thomas  Richard 
Plumbe-Tempest,  J.P.  and  D.L.  Sir  Robert  T.  Tempest,  Bart.,  of  Tong 
Hall,  Drighlington,  Bradford,  now  holds  the  manor  of  Litherland,  part  of 
the  manor  of  Aughton,  with  the  advowson  of  the  Parish  Church. 

In  1776  Rev.  William  Plumbe  bought  the  Presbyterian  Chapel 
which  used  to  stand  in  Temple  Court,  off  North  John  Street,  Liverpool, 
known  then  as  the  Octagon  Chapel ;  he  re-christened  it  St.  Catherine's 
Church,  and  officiated  in  it  with  considerable  popularity  for  nearly  10 
years.  In  "  Gore's  General  Advertiser,"  of  22nd  March,  1776,  is  the 
following  paragraph  : — 

"  We  hear  that  St.  Catherine's  Chapel  will  be  opened  on  Sunday  morning  by 
"  the  Rev.  Mr.  Plumbe ;  and  that  attendance  will  be  given  there  for  letting  the  seats 
"  oq  Monday,  Tuesday,  and  Wednesday  mornings  following." 


THE  RECTORS.  59 


Mr.  Plumbe  resided  for  some  time  in  what  was  then  22,  Duke  Street, 
sharing  the  house  with  the  Rev.  Nicholas  Clayton,  who,  by  the  way,  was 
the  minister  of  the  same  chapel  prior  to  Mr.  Plumbe  purchasing  it.  The 
church  existed  up  to  March,  1820,  and  was  ultimately  taken  down  by 
order  of  the  Corporation.  According  to  the  Churchwardens'  accounts 
during  this  Rector's  charge,  frequent  entries  prove  Mr.  Plumbe's  absence, 
such  as  "  Spent  when  Croston  Parson  preacht,1'  "  Spent  on  9  several 
clergyman  at  9  different  times  " — all  showing  an  average  expense  of  I/-  per 
parson,  but  when  the  Rector  was  at  Aughton  we  find  an  item,  presumably 
for  refreshments,  "  1780.  Spent  when  the  Rector  preached,  2/-,"  and  the 
Easter  Vestry  accounts  of  1776  and  1777  are  signed,  respectively,  Haddon 
Smith  and  George  Monk,  as  curates. 

On  3Oth  January,  1775,  there  was  notice  of  a  special  vestry  "at  3  of 
the  clock  "  to  consider  "  methods  for  raising  a  sufficient  sum  of  money  for 
"  purchasing  decent  vessels  for  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  Super,  the 
"  old  vessels  are  so  old  and  gone  to  decay  that  they  are  not  fitt  to  be  used 
"  in  that  Divine  and  Holy  Service  where  all  things  should  be  pure  and 
"decent  and  such  as  becometh  the  Lord's  Table";  agreed  the  Church- 
wardens shall  immediately  provide  "  suitable  vessels  by  a  Church  Ley,  the 
"  Rector  having  promised  to  give  ^"5  55.  towards  the  same." 

The  Vestry  meetings  were  always  held  on  Sunday  afternoons,  which 
practice  was  continued  up  to  1835.  Mr.  Plumbe  held  the  living  for  17 
years  ;  the  date  of  his  death  being  25th  May,  1786. 

The  following  ballad,  bearing  the  date  1778,  and  printed  in 
Lancaster,  evidently  contains  suggestions  of  a  tithe  dispute,  but  I  am 
unable  to  find  anything  to  elucidate  the  circumstances  : — 

THE    LUXURIANT    PLUMB-TREE     LOPP'D. 

In  Aughton  Parish,  many  know, 
A  large  Plumb-Tree  there  once  did  grow  ; 
But  now  is  fall'n  (of  mortal  race), 
And  worse  is  grown  up  in  its  place. 
There's  few  who  know  it  will  deny 
The  fruit  it  yields  is  sour  and  dry ; 
Those  who  have  tasted  lik'd  it  not, 
Because  they  found  it  sharp  and  hot. 


60  THE  RECTORS. 


Its  roots  spread  wide,  shot  deep  and  strong, 
Its  branches  broad  and  very  long ; 
Had  they  not  cropp'd  it,  I  protest, 
It  would  have  shaded  all  the  rest. 

The  plant  that's  shaded  in  the  field 
A  little  produce  can  but  yield  : 
Of  the  sunshine  it  stands  in  need, 
Which  helps  all  kinds  of  grain  to  feed. 

This  Tree  (tho'  not  of  much  renown) 
It's  succour  hath  from  all  the  town  ; 
The  spreading  boughs,  before  'twas  dress'd, 
Strove  to  impoverish  all  the  rest. 

Had  it  still  spread  and  kept  alive, 
Few  that  grew  near  to  it  could  thrive. 
It  would  have  done  but  little  good  ; 
But  they  have  nipp'd  it  in  the  bud. 

Whom  I  do  mean  you  all  can  tell, 
He's  one  of  the  Episcopal. 
Demanded  tyth  as  I  heard  say, 
Not  only  corn  but  likewise  hay. 

Altho'  his  benefits  are  not  small — 
With  tyth  of  part,  he  grasp'd  at  all : 
Would  law  admit,  conscience  would  yield, 
To  take  the  whole  out  of  the  field. 

Bye  chance  they  .did  him  overawe, 
And  taught  to  know  the  price  of  law 
(For  law  and  Gospel,  it  doth  appear, 
Sometimes  are  both  sold  very  dear ; 

The  lawmen  they  are  sharp  and  keen. 
And  will  cut  all  they  catch  between  : 
And  where  the  Rectors  make  a  breach, 
They  sweep  away  all  in  their  reach). 

Tho'  lost  the  object  of  his  aim, 
His  witnesses  he  cannot  blame  ; 
They  did  their  best,  as  it  appears. 
And  ran  the  hazard  of  their  ears. 

I  mean  J.  L w  and  the  Cl k, 

For  they  did  swear  both  light  and  dark  ; 
Tho'  far  in  years,  and  past  their  youth, 
They  swore  to  that  which  was  not  truth. 


THE  RECTORS,  61 


Rectors  and  lawmen,  of  a  piece, 
Mind  not  the  flock — get  they  the  fleece ; 
That's  their  sole  care,  it  doth  appear, 
By  shearing  close  once  ev'ry  year. 

Tho'  Rectors'  livings  do  exceed, 
And  they  have  more  than  they  do  need  ; 
They'll  neither  lose  tyth  goose  nor  pig, 
Which  makes  'em  strut  both  fat  and  big. 

They  will  not  favour  rich  nor  poor, 
Tho'  they  have  plenty  in  great  store  ; 
To  lose  a  benefit  they'll  not  yield, 
Neither  in  church  nor  in  the  field. 

Old  Ellis's  (?)  sons,  we  find  of  old, 
With  th'  people's  offerings  make  too  bold, 
By  taking  what  they  lik'd  the  best  ; 
For  sacrifice  they  left  the  rest. 

It's  much  the  same  in  these  our  days, 
He  seems  to  imitate  their  ways, 
Lets  nothing  pass  him,  great  nor  small. 
But  strove  at  sharing  part  of  all. 

Such  things  as  these  come  not  to  pass 

When  Jesus  rid  upon  an  ass  ; 

Nor  did  it  ever  yet  appear 

Th'  Apostles  rid  in  coach  or  chair. 

But  now  we  see  the  clergy  ride 
In  showy  grandeur,  pomp,  and  pride, 
Which  is  not  comely  for  to  see 
In  patterns  of  humility. 

But  (as  we  find  most  things  are  brittle) 
Rectors  have  too  much,  Curates  too  little  ; 
Might  Justice  rule,  I  must  confess, 
Curates  should  ha'  more  and  Rectors  less. 

Curates  do  most  of  all  the  duty 
(If  well  perform 'd,  Religion's  beauty) ; 
To  pay  them  well  they  should  engage — 
Who  do  most  work  should  have  most  wage. 

To  go  no  farther,  make  a  stand, 
And  speak  no  more  of  this  in  hand ; 
Composing  rhyme  to  th'  brain's  a  toil, 
So  here  I'll  stop  and  rest  a  while. 

LANCASTRIA,  ANNO  DOMINI  MDCCLXXVIII. 


62  THE  RECTORS. 


1786.  George  Vanbrugh,   LL.B., 

King's  Preacher,  Prebendary  of  Wells,  and  Chaplain  to  the  Duke 
of  Gloucester  and  to  the  Lord  Bishop  of  Bath  and  Wells,  was  instituted 
6th  June,  1786,  and,  according  to  the  notice  board  on  front  of  the 
church  gallery,  Robert  Stephenson  was  curate  at  the  time.  Mr.  Vanbrugh 
was  appointed  King's  Preacher  for  Lancashire,  5th  August,  1812. 

In  the  earlier  part  of  his  rectorship,  the  churchwardens  took  an 
inventory  of  the  "  Church  Goods  belonging  to  the  Parish  of  Aughton, 
31  December,  1787,"  and  found — 

In  the  Pulpit — a  Velvet  Cloth,  Cushion,  and  Boss. 

In  the  Reading  Desk — a  Bible,  Prayer  Book,  and  a  Stool  to  kneel 
on. 

In  the  Clerk's  Desk — a  Bible,  Prayer  Book,  and  an  old  Boss. 

At   the   Communion  Table — a  Velvet   Cloth  and   Cushion,  Table 

Cloth,  one  Napkin,  and  two  Bosses. 
In  the  Churchwarden's  Pew — two  Prayer  Books,  and  two  Bosses. 

In  the  Gallery — three  Prayer  Books,  20  Boards  figured  for  Singers, 

and  one  Pitch  Pipe. 
In  the  Christening  Pew — two  Covered  Forms  and  one  Boss. 

In  the  Chancel — a  Box  with  two  Bier  Cloaths  therein,  a  Chest  with 
three  Cushions  for  communicants  to  kneel  on,  two  Biers,  four 
Ladders. 

In  the  Vestry — two  Surplices,  one  Silver  Chalice,  two  Pewter 
Tankards,  one  Salver,  four  Register  Books,  five  Account  Books, 
one  Table,  one  Box,  one  Chest,  three  brushes,  Book  of  Offices, 
three  Collecting  Boxes,  Table  of  Fees,  one  Looking  Glass,  a 
Lead  Inkstand,  a  Towel,  Bowl,  and  Bottle,  an  Umbrella,  one 
Chair. 

During  Mr.  Vanbrugh's  time,  one,  Peter  Barton,  held  the  offices  of 
Vestry  Clerk,  Schoolmaster,  and  Parish  Clerk,  all  of  which  he  resigned  in 
1833.  A  tale  is  told  of  him,  to  the  effect  that  it  was  the  duty  of  one  of 


THE  RECTORS.  63 


the  singers  (John  Riding,  who  sang  bass),  to  exhibit  the  numbers  of  the 
hymns  in  a  frame  on  front  of  the  gallery.  Old  Peter,  from  his  station  in 
the  three-decker  pulpit,  would  announce  that  "  they  would  sing  to  the 
praise  and  glory  of  God  "  ;  and,  on  one  occasion,  turning  his  head  to  see 
the  number,  and  finding  none,  exclaimed,  in  his  broad  Lancashire,  "  Jacky 
Riding  !  thou's  not  putten  numbers  awt !  " 

Another  authenticated  story  of  him  is  as  follows  : — I  am  led  to 
understand  he  was  not  strictly  temperate — in  fact,  was  very  often  over  the 
mark,  even  during  service  ;  and  would,  under  the  drowsy  influence  of  his 
potations,  lose  the  thread  of  his  proper  responses.  On  one  occasion,  whilst 
Rector  Vanbrugh  was  reading  the  prayers,  Peter,  instead  of  giving 
utterance  to  as  musical  an  "  Amen  "  as  he  could  muster,  remained  sleepily 
silent,  the  rector  shaking  him  by  the  ear.  Peter,  awakened,  called  out, 
"  Good  Lord,  deliver  us  !  " 

A  tale  of  Mr.  Stephenson,  who  was  curate  under  Mr.  Vanbrugh, 
would  show  him  to  be  a  pugnacious,  if  not  a  muscular,  Christian.  He, 
also,  was  addicted  to  occasional  inebriation.  One  Saturday  night,  becoming 
quarrelsome,  he  had  a  set-to  fight  with  some  marlers,  in  which  he  was  the 
recipient  of  two  black  eyes,  and,  having  to  officate  at  church  next  morning, 
he  chose  for  his  text  Isaiah  1.,  verse  6. 

"  I   gave  my  back   to  the  smiters,  and   my  cheeks   to   them   that  plucked  off  the 
"hair;   I  hid  not  my  face  from  shame." 

A  writer  in  the  "Liverpool  Repository"  of  1826,  speaking  of  Mr. 
Vanbrugh  and  his  many  excellent  qualities,  quotes  the  following  extract 
from  the  poem  of  "  The  Pastor,"  by  Rev.  Thos.  Garratt,  Curate  of  Altcar, 
in  which  is  a  faithful  portrait. 

"  Not  now  more  pure,  more  venerably  fair, 
His  snow-like  vesture  than  his  silver  hair  ! 
Time,  o'er  his  visage  as  he  dar'd  to  plow, 
Uptore  the  shading  tresses  from  his  brow  ; 
And  scarcely  left  him,  fondly  there  to  trace, 
One  lock  appendant  o'er  his  manly  face. 
Yet,  tho'  departed  now,  his  forehead  bears 


64  THE  RECTORS. 


No  graceful  forelock,  matting  o'er  his  cares ; 

Those  cares  remain,  and  tenderly  entwine. 

His  eyes,  that  smile  in  love,  in  goodness  shine, 

While  o'er  his  features,  where  affection  glows. 

'  The  peace  of  God  '  a  beaming  mildness  throws  !  " 

Mr.  Vanbrugh  held  the  living  for  48  years,  resigning  in  1834.  On 
his  resignation,  the  parishioners  presented  him  with  a  silver  vase.  The 
following  account  is  copied  from  the  "  Liverpool  Courier,"  25th  February, 
1834  .— 

A  splendid  and  gratifying  tribute  of  respect  has  been  presented  to  the  Rev. 
George  Vanbrugh,  LL.B.,  whose  resignation  of  the  valuable  Rectory  of  Aughton 
was  some  time  ago  announced  in  this  journal.  The  motive  of  the  Reverend 
Gentleman  in  taking  this  step,  as  stated  in  his  Farewell  Address  to  his  Parishioners, 
reflects  equal  credit  upon  himself  and  upon  the  church  in  which  he  has  been  for 
upwards  of  half  a  century  a  most  exemplary  minister.  Feeling  that  he  could  not 
conscientiously  retain  the  emoluments  of  a  Benefice,  the  duties  of  which  he  was 
unable,  through  advancing  years,  adequately  to  perform,  he  at  once  came  to  the 
determination  to  resign  it,  affording,  in  this  act,  an  instance  of  disinterestedness  and 
of  personal  sacrifice  to  principle,  in  strict  accordance  with  the  liberality  and 
benevolence  by  which  his  whole  life  has  .  been  distinguished.  His  retirement, 
however,  is  accompanied  with  the  unabated  attachment  of  his  Parishioners  and 
Friends,  who  conjointly,  in  testimony  of  their  respect  to  him  as  a  man  and  Christian 
pastor,  have  presented  him  with  a  costly  Vase  of  massive  silver,  richly  embossed, 
upon  the  pedestal  of  which  is  the  following  inscription  : — 

TO   THE 

REV.    GEORGE    VANBRUGH,    LL.B., 
LATE    RECTOR    OF   AUGHTON,    LANCASHIRE. 

PREBENDARY   OF   WELLS, 
CHAPLAIN   TO    His    ROYAL    HIGHNESS   THE   DUKE    OF    GLOUCESTER, 

AND 
To   THE    LORD    BISHOP   OF    BATH    AND    WELLS, 

THIS    TESTIMONIAL 
is   PRESENTED    BY   THE    PARISHIONERS  OF  AUGHTON, 

AND   BY   OTHER   FRIENDS, 
AS   A   TRIBUTE   OF    UNFEIGNED    REGARD 

TO    ONE    WHOSE    LIFE    DURING    HIS 
INCUMBENCY   OF    XLVIII.    YEARS,   AND    UNINTERRUPTED    RESIDENCE 

AMONG     THEM     FOR     A     PERIOD     OF     XLIII.     YEARS, 

HAS     BEEN     A     BRIGHT     PATTERN 
OF     ALL     THAT     ADORNS     THE     PASTORAL    CHARACTER. 

ANN.     DOM.     MDCCCXXXIV. 


THE  RECTORS. 


Mr.  Vanbrugh  died  at  Crosby,  i6th  October,  1847,  aged  91. 

The  seven  Almshouses  near  the  church  were  built  out  of  a  fund  of 
^"3,000  left  by  him;  ^"1,200  was  spent  in  their  erection,  and  the  re- 
maining ^~i,8oo  vested  in  securities  towards,  and  for  the  maintenance  of, 
deserving  poor  people. 

In  a  second  codicil  to  Mr.  Vanbrugh's  will,  dated  4th  September,  1847, 
he  empowers  his  executor  "  to  retain  out  of  my  estate  so  much  money  as 
"  he  may  think  fit  to  expend,  not  exceeding  ^500,  in  erecting  or 
"  establishing  some  suitable  memorial  of  me  in  the  Parish  Church  of 
"  Aughton,  either  in  the  form  of  a  monument  or  painted  window,  or  in 
"  any  other  form,  or  of  any  other  nature  that  he  may  prefer,  and  either 
"  alone  or  jointly  with  any  other  improvement  or  embellishment  of  the 
"  church  which  he  may  approve  of,  though  not  monumental  ;  and  any 
"  inscription  thereon  shall  be  of  a  modest  and  humble  character,  befitting 
"  my  own  estimate  of  my  unworthiness,  although,  with  that  re- 
"  striction,  I  think  it  right  to  declare  that  I  give  this  power  to  him 
"  reluctantly,  and  only  at  his  own  urgent  request,  coupled  with  an 
"  assurance  that  if  I  refuse  to  do  so,  he  will  himself — if  he  survive  me — 
"  carry  out  his  desire,  in  this  respect,  at  his  own  expense." 

The  monument  decided  upon  was  a  Gothic  Tomb,  in  the  decorated 
style,  in  Caen  stone,  and  is  placed  in  an  arched  recess  in  the  wall  on  the 
north  side  of  the  chancel.  It  contains  two  beautifully-executed  bas-reliefs, 
representing  "  Christ  preaching  the  Gospel  to  the  poor,"  and  "  Healing 
the  broken-hearted."  The  sculptor  was  J.  Sherwood  Westmacott.  Height 
of  monument,  4  ft.  ;  width,  7  ft.  ;  and  depth,  2  ft.  6  in.  Cost  ^"300  ; 
and  bears  the  following  inscription  :— 

IN    MEMORY 

OF 

THE    REV.    GEORGE    VANBRUGH,    LL.B., 
PREBENDARY    OF    WELLS, 

AND, 
DURING    FORTY-EIGHT   YEARS, 

RECTOR   OF   AUGHTON. 

HE    DIED    AT    CROSBY,    OCT.    16,    1847. 

AGED   91. 


66  THE  RECTORS. 


HIS  SINCERE  FAITH— 
HIS  HUMBLE  AND  UNAFFECTED  PIETY, 
THE  AMIABLE  COURTESY  OF  HIS   MANNERS, 
AND  THE  WARM  BENEVOLENCE  OF  HIS  HEART — 
ENDEARED   HIM  TO  HIS   PARISHIONERS, 
AND  GAINED  HIM  THE  CORDIAL  ESTEEM 
AND  ATTACHMENT  OF  ALL  WHO  KNEW  HIM. 

The  Sunday  Schools  in  Rector  Vanbrugh's  time  were  in  a  flourishing 
state.  I  have  before  me  the  Annual  Report  for  the  year  ending  ist  July, 
1820.  The  attendance  was — 49  boys  and  45  girls  ;  with  two  paid  teachers, 
costing  £20  1 6s.  There  was  a  subscribers'  list,  amounting  to  ^"34  8s.  6d., 
besides  carrying  down  the  substantial  balance  of  ^"54  odd.  Mr.  William 
Parr  was  treasurer,  and  Mr.  William  Culshaw  was  secretary,  and  any 
subscriber  was  at  liberty  to  recommend  scholars.  The  rules  were  some- 
what stringent  to  our  ideas  ;  for  instance,  among  others — 

The  School  hours  shall  be  from  eight  o'clock  in  Summer,  and 
half  after  eight  in  Winter,  until  the  time  of  going  into 
church.  The  school  hour  in  the  afternoon  shall  be  from  half 
after  one  o'clock  to  church  time. 

The  Scholars  shall  attend  their  Master  and  Mistress  constantly  to 
church,  both  morning  and  afternoon. 

Such  rewards  shall  be  given  for  regular  attendance,  diligence,  and 
orderly  conduct,  as  the  subscriptions  will  allow,  besides  those 
which  the  Rector  will  bestow  upon  the  deserving  scholars. 

All  the  scholars  to  give  four  weeks  notice  before  leaving  the  school, 
in  order  that  they,  if  deserving,  may  receive  a  reward. 

These  rewards  were,  seemingly,  always  in  money.  In  the  report  is  an 
item  of  £i  175.  2d.  ;  and,  on  turning  up  the  Churchwardens'  Accounts  of 
1820,  I  find — "Given  116  children,  who  repeated  the  catechism  in  the 
church,  2d.  each";  which  number  had  increased  to  186  children  in  the 
year  1828,  all  getting  the  two  pence. 


THE  RECTORS.  67 


1834.  William  Henry  Boulton,  M.A., 

Was  presented  to  this  living  (on  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Vanbrugh)  by 
his  father,  Mr.  R.  Boulton,  who  was  patron  for  that  turn.  Mr.  Boulton 
was  educated  at  Trinity  College,  Oxford,  graduating  B.A.,  1831,  and  M.A., 
1834.  His  first  appointment  was  to  the  curacy  of  Tarporley,  in  Cheshire, 
where  he  remained  until  his  preferment  to  Aughton. 

During  his  rectorship,  lasting  over  50  years,  the  church  and  parish 
improvements  took  great  strides  ;  he  spared  neither  himself  nor  his  wealth 
for  the  welfare  of  his  parishioners  and  his  neighbours.  Christ  Church 
stands  as  a  lasting  monument  to  his  generosity,  and  that  of  his  family, 
who  jointly  contributed  ^*4,ooo  to  its  erection.  Among  other  good  works 
(and  their  name  was  legion)  which  he  furthered,  a  donation  of  .^"1,000, 
given  to  the  Ormskirk  Dispensary  in  1881,  must  not  be  forgotten  ;  in  fact, 
his  name  will  be  found  associated  with  nearly  all  that  pertains  to  the  half 
century  of  our  annals,  1834-1884. 

On  the  anniversary  of  his  5oth  year's  residence  in  Aughton,  the 
parishioners,  to  commemorate  the  event,  subscribed  ^"300,  purchasing  a 
handsome  clock  and  chimes,  costing  ^230,  which  was  placed  in  the  tower 
of  the  parish  church,  and  a  Communion  service  of  silver,  which  was 
handed  to  Mr.  Boulton  for  the  use  of  the  church.  The  clock  was  supplied 
by  Messrs.  Penlington,  the  Communion  service  (which  cost  ^"64)  by 
Elkington  &  Co. 

The  Rector  addressed  the  following  letter  to 

THE  PARISHIONERS  OF  AUGHTON. 
MY  DEAR  FRIENDS, 

I  have  most  fully  appreciated  your  extremely  kind  feelings  towards  me.  as 
expressed  by  your  general  desire  to  commemorate  my  completion  of  a  residence  of 
50  years  at  Aughton  Rectory  ;  your  handsome  gifts  to  our  church  of  a  valuable  clock 
and  a  communion  service  of  silver  have  been  so  really  generous  and  munificent  that 
to  say  I  am  highly  gratified,  will  not  sufficiently  convey  to  you  all  that  I  feel ;  but  be 
assured  that  you  have  my  most  cordial  thanks,  and  no  doubt  you  will  be  conscious 
that  such  gifts  cannot  fail  to  be  a  record  to  future  generations  of  the  warm  interest 
which  you  have  taken  in  your  Parish  Church,  and  in 

Your  old  sincere  friend, 
AUGHTON  RECTORY,  August,  1884.  W.  H.  BOULTON. 


68  THE  RECTORS. 


Mr.  Boulton's  death  took  place  on   i2th  April,  1885,  of ' paralysis, 
having  been  50  years  and  6  months  Rector.     He  was  buried  at  Eccleston, 
near  Chorley. 
!885.  Charles  Warren  Markham,  M.A., 

The  present  Rector,  is  the  only  son  of  the  late  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Markham,  of  the  6oth  Rifles,  by  his  wife,  Emma,  daughter  of  the  Rev. 
Ralph  Brandling,  and  was  educated  at  Magdalen  College,  Cambridge, 
where  he  graduated  B.A.  in  1857,  and  M.A.  in  1860.  He  was  ordained 
Deacon  by  the  Bishop  of  Peterborough  in  1858,  and  admitted  to  Priest's 
Orders  in  the  succeeding  year  by  the  Bishop  of  Man,  acting  for  the 
Bishop  of  Peterborough.  His  first  appointment  was  to  the  curacy  of 
Oundle,  in  Northamptonshire,  in  1858.  which  he  held  until  1860,  when  he 
was  presented  to  the  Vicarage  of  Owston,  near  Doncaster,  remaining  there 
two  years,  when  he  accepted  the  Incumbency  of  Tong,  near  Leeds,  where 
he  remained  until  1866,  when  he  was  preferred  to  the  Rectory  of  All 
Saints',  Saxby,  which  he  held  until  his  presentation  to  the  Rectory  of 
Aughton.  He  is  a  J.P.  for  the  Parts  of  Lindsay  in  the  county  of  Lincoln. 

On  the  day  of  his  induction  the  day  school  children  assembled  in  the 
churchyard,  and  lined  the  approach  to  the  church.  A  procession  started 
from  the  Rectory  composed  as  follows  : — The  Rector,  Rev.  Canon  Clarke, 
Rural  Dean,  Rev.  Canon  Blundell,  Rector  of  Halsall,  Rev.  Canon 
Postance,  Rev.  W.  Postance,  Liverpool,  Rev.  J.  F.  Hocter,  Vicar  of 
Maghull,  Rev.  J.  E.  Woodrow,  Vicar  of  Ormskirk,  and  the  Rev.  H. 
Rowland,  Curate  of  Burscough,  the  Churchwardens  of  the  Parish  Church 
(Messrs.  H.  Underwood  and  J.  Sephton),  and  of  Christ  Church  (Messrs. 
A.  Dickinson  and  C.  Wilson).  The  procession  entered  the  church  by  the 
south  porch,  and  the  clergy  proceeded  to  the  chancel,  where  the  Bishop  of 
Liverpool  was  awaiting  them.  After  the  service  and  sermon  (the  Bishop 
preaching),  the  office  of  institution  was  then  performed  by  the  Bishop, 
sitting  in  his  chair,  at  the  chancel  step,  and,  subsequently,  the  whole  con- 
gregation adjourned  to  the  churchyard,  near  the  south  porch,  and  the 
door  was  shut  and  locked.  The  ceremony  of  induction  having  been 
performed  by  Canon  Clarke,  the  new  Rector  unlocked  the  door,  admitted 
himself,  and  tolled  one  of  the  bells. 


THE    REGISTERS. 


THE     REGISTERS. 


HE  earliest  volume  is  long  octavo  in  form,  is  of  parchment, 
and  is  in  very  good  condition  ;  and  it  ought  to  be  with  a 
spirit  of  thankfulness  that  we  find  it  so,  as  ere  now  such 
divers  and  curious  fates  have  befallen  Church  Registers. 

Our  first  book  runs  from  A.D.  1541  to  1674,  the  writing  in  places 
exhibiting  superior  excellence,  in  others  engrossed  with  care.  No  entries 
occur  from  1653  to  1657,  being  the  interregnum  of  the  Commonwealth,  a 
special  book  having  then  been  appointed  to  be  kept.  In  this  "  particular 
register,"  as  it  was  pleased  to  be  designated,  the  contrast  in  the  penman- 
ship and  general  appearance  is  very  noticeable,  which  will  be  accounted 
for  from  the  fact  of  its  being  in  the  hands  of  a  lay  Registrar.  There  is 
a  slight  deficiency  in  the  baptisms  between  1608  and  1626  ;  also  in  the 
burials  between  1747  and  1753. 

There  is  a  certain  amount  of  romantic  sentiment  in  the  fact  of 
handling  a  book  which  has  been  preserved,  and  has  existed  through  so 
many  vicissitudes  as  this  quaint  parchment  folio  has  passed  through. 
What  tales  it  could  tell,  and  does  tell  ;  what  a  record  it  possesses  ;  it 
proves  the  glory  of  the  rich  man — his  noble  birth  ;  it  is  the  pride  of  the 
poor  man — his  worthy  fathers  ;  it  is  invaluable  to  both,  being  the  only 
record  of  their  names. 

As  a  town  register  furnishes  evidence  of  a  continual  shifting  of  the 
population,  so  these  records  of  a  rural  village  life,  far  away  from  the  hum 
and  bustle  of  politics  and  trade,  show  how  permanently  families  remain 
attached  to  one  spot,  there  being  no  strong  call  to  break  up  the  home  ; 
and  as  registers  are  most  valuable  local  records,  it  is  not  very  often  that 
their  interest  have  much  that  is  of  more  than  local  value. 


72  THE  REGISTERS. 


On  the  inside  cover,  very  minutely  written,  and  almost  obliterated,  is 
inscribed  : — 

"  There  were  no  Registers  of  ye  marriages  in  Engl:  till  ye  year 
"  1539,  being  ye  30*  year  of  King  Hen.  ye  8th  at  wch.  time  th 
"  were  ordained  D.G.  ye  Lord  Cromwell  ye  King's  Vicar- 
"  General." 

And  on  the  opening  pages  it  is  headed — 

UA  Register  contaynange  all  maryages  christenings  and  buryalls 
u  from  ye  year  of  our  God  1540." 

This  gives  us  the  title  to  affirm  that  we  in  Aughton  possess  one  of  the 
oldest  registers  in  South  Lancashire  ;  not  only  that,  but,  I  think,  we  may 
safely  enroll  them  among  the  812  Pre-Reformation  registers  which  are 
known  to  exist. 

Thomas  Cromwell,  who  was  elected  head  of  the  Church  of  England 
in  1535,  and  is  thus  styled  "Ye  King's  Vicar-General,"  had  in  his  early 
life  resided  abroad,  and  had  become  acquainted  with  the  registers  familiar 
to  the  Spaniards,  and  naturally  discerned  the  advantage  of  bringing  them 
into  use  in  England.  Originally  all  registers  were  written  on  ordinary 
paper,  but  Queen  Elizabeth's  ministers,  in  1597,  ordered  them  to  be  tran- 
scribed into  parchment  books,  which  regulation  was  embodied  in  the  7Oth 
Canon  of  the  Church  of  England,  promulgated  in  1603,  which  further 
orders  that,  "  for  the  safe  keeping  of  the  said  book,  the  Churchwardens  at 
a  the  charge  of  the  parish  shall  provide  one  safe  coffer  and  3  locks  and 
"  keys."  Our  present  parish  chest,  with  the  3  locks,  only  dates  from  1789, 
furnished  by  John  Heathcote  at  the  cost  of  £2  55.  The  iron  safe  which 
is  now  custodian  of  all  parish  books,  was  the  gift  of  the  late  Edgar 
Musgrove,  Esq.,  in  1878. 

Anyone  handling  our  first  register,  and  noticing  the  heading  "  A.D. 
1541,"  must  not  imagine  the  identical  writing  dates  from  that  year  ;  for,  on 
close  examination,  it  appears  a  transcript  from  the  opening  entry  up  to 
November,  1603  ;  the  whole  being  in  the  small  cramped  handwriting 
peculiar  to  that  period.  The  7<Dth  Canon  was  never  repealed,  and  the 


THE  REGISTERS.  73 


registers  were  kept  by  the  clergy  until  1812,  when  the  Canon  was  super- 
seded by  an  Act  of  Parliament,  which  was,  however,  a  re-enactment  of 
the  Canon.  This  Act  exhibits  a  ludicrous  flaw,  forasmuch  as  it  provides 
that  anyone  making  a  false  return  or  entry  should  be  transported  for  14 
years,  and  in  another  clause  affirms  that  one  half  of  this  penalty  should 
go  to  the  informer,  and  the  remainder  to  the  poor -of  the  parish. 

Comparing  the  relative  antiquity  of  registers  extant  in  this  part  of 
Lancashire,  the  dates  of  other  registers  in  our  immediate  neighbourhood 
may  be  interesting.  I  find  that  Ormskirk  takes  the  second  place,  starting 
November,  1557  ;  Prescot,  1583  ;  Walton-on-the-Hill,  1586  ;  Sephton,  yth 
February,  1597  ;  Melling,  1612  ;  and  Hallsall,  29th  November,  1662,  but 
detached  pieces  of  old  registers  are  dated  1611. 

Although  our  registers  may  not  be  fraught  with  much  interest  to 
the  outside  world,  and,  with  only  one  or  two  exceptions,  do  not  contain 
any  record  of  families  of  note,  without  further  preface,  I  give  a  few 
extracts,  placing  them  in  order.  The  Baptisms  first,  the  Marriages  next, 
and  then,  in  the  due  course  of  nature,  the  "  Buryells." 

Baptisms. 
1541.     Alyce  Buchyarde,  baptizate  xxoth-  die  In  Januarie. 

Singular  that  this  first  name,  chronicled  350  years  ago,  should  be  still 
amongst  us,  handed  down  from  generation  to  generation  with  a  variety 
of  spelling.  A  deed,  dated  27th  July,  1541,  has  Godfrey  Bochard  as  a 
contracting  party  ;  in  1574  one  Omfray  Buchyarde  was  buried.  In  a  few 
years  the  name  varied  to  Butcharde,  which  was  common  in  1674-1693  ; 
another  burial  is  registered  of  a  Butchett  in  1708.  Later  a  transaction 
is  recorded  in  the  waywardens'  accounts  of  removing  stones  from  Budget's 
Lane  ;  and,  with  still  further  corruption,  we  have  it  existing  in  our  present 
Butcher's  Lane. 

There  were  5  Baptisms  in  the  opening  year. 

1574-     Gabrell  Hesketh  fils  Bartholomew   Hesketh,    whose   mother   was 
Elizabethe,  the  daughter  of  Sr-  Willm.  Nowes  Knyght. 


74  THE  REGISTERS. 


1578.  (Illegible)    fils    of    Bartholomew     Hesketh,    whose    mother    was 

Margerett,  daughter  to  Sr  John  Southeworthe,  Kng. 

Gabriel  Hesketh  succeeded  his  father  as  Lord  of  the  Manor  in  1602, 
and  is  described  of  u  the  New  Hall,"  which  will  be  the  same  as  Aughton 
Hall,  on  the  confines  of  Scarisbrick.  On  an  engraved  stone,  the  initials 
G.  A.  H.  H.,  1610,  appear. 

Bartholemew  Hesketh  figures  conspicuously  as  a  Lancashire  Recusant. 

(See  Burials,  1600). 

1582.  Jane,  daughter  Edward  Stanley,  Gent,  in  October  2ist. 

1583.  Elizabeth,  do.  4th  March. 
1595.     Margaret,                         do.  Februarie. 

Edward  Stanley  was  son  of  Peter  Stanley,  of  Moor  Hall,  and  two  of 
the  three  daughters  mentioned,  Jane  and  Elizabeth,  would  be  issue  of  his 
marriage  with  Catherine  Ireland.  I  am  enabled,  through  the  courtesy  of 
Mr.  Bromley,  of  Lathom  (who  has  in  his  possession  the  identical  marriage 
contract),  to  give  in  detail  the  somewhat  curious  clauses  it  contains. 

1579.  24  October — 2ist  Elizabeth. 

Marriage  contract  between  Peter  Stanley,  of  Bickerstaffe,  and 
Laurence  Ireland,  of  Lydyate,  in  anticipation  of  a  projected  marriage 
between  Edward  Stanley,  eldest  son  of  Peter  Stanley,  and  Katheryn, 
sister  of  Laurence  Ireland. 

They  covenant  that  they  shall  be  married,  "  according  to  the  laws  of 
hollye  churche,"  at  a  time  and  place  convenient  to  be  appointed  by 
Laurence. 

Peter  to  convey  to  Edward  Tarbocke  and  Willm.  More,  Esquires, 
and  Edward  Sutton,  Richard  Jollybrand,  Gents,  as  trustees  for  Catherine, 
a  sufficient  estate  in  Becurstath,  Ormyskyrke,  Mossborowe,  and  Netherton, 
of  the  yearly  value  of  "  ffyve  markes  sixteen  pence."  Peter  also  grants 
to  Edward  and  Catherine  £6  133.  4d.  alimony,  "  on  the  feast  days  of  the 
Nativity  of  St.  John  the  Baptist  and  ye  birth  of  our  Lord  God,  through 
ye  parson  officiating  at  More  Hall,  in  Aghton,  between  the  hours  of  9  in 
the  forenoon  and  i  in  the  afternoon,"  during  the  joint  lives  of  Peter  and 
his  son. 


THE  REGISTERS.  75 


Laurence  Ireland,  on  his  part,  agrees  to  pay  100  marks  (^40)  on 
the  26  March,  after  the  date  of  the  indenture  :  5  marks  at  the  feast  of 
St.  John  the  Baptist,  5  marks  on  the  feast  of  the  birth  of  our  Lord  God, 
u  at  or  upon  ye  ffonte  at  ye  Parish  Church  of  Aghton,  between  9  in  ye 
"  forenoon  and  5  in  ye  afternoon,"  and  on  each  feast  day  till  all  be  paid  up. 

Penal  sum,  ^"500. 

In  olden  times,  the  church,  and  more  usually  the  church-porch,  was 
an  important  place  for  business  transactions.  In  many  churches,  the 
porch  was  supplied  with  a  stone  ledge  or  dole  table  by  way  of  a  counter, 
and,  as  a  last  relic  of  anything  requiring  publicity,  the  lists  of  voters, 
allowance  of  poor  rates,  notices  of  assessed  taxes,  &c.,  are  still  affixed  on 
the  church  doors. 

The  other  daughter,  Margaret,  would  be  by  Edward's  second  wife, 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Leonard  Hoghton,  of  Spinagh.  Edward  Stanley 
died  in  1603.  {See  1566,  General  Annals,  Peter  Stanley). 

Nothing  calling  for  any  particular  notice  occurs  in  the  entries  until 
we  come  to  the  year  1653,  under  which  date,  October  9th,  is  inserted  the 
following  memorandum  : — 

"  See  the  rest  of  ye  Chtnings  in  a  particular  Register  Book  from 

this  time  till  (57)  made  by  order  of  O.  Cromwell." 
"  Now  in  ye  chest  with  3  locks." 

On  opening  this  particular  register,  the  following  declaration  informs  us — 

"  That  Robert  Charles  of  Aughton  Yeoman  being  chosen  Register 

of  the  said  Parish,  according  to  the  Act  in  that     .     .     .     made 

and   provided  was   this    12    Day  of  October  1653  sworn  and 

approved  of  by  us  Justices  of  the  peace  of  the  said  county. 

J.   Homley. 
Will  Halsall. 
Jerehiah  Aspinwall." 

In  this  year,  also,  the  Protector  made  marriage  by  civil  magistrates 
valid,  although  it  was  optional  to  have  a  clergyman  to  perform  the 
ceremony.  This  lay  registrar  had  to  give  a  certificate  that  the  contracting 


76  THE  REGISTERS. 


parties  had  the  banns  published  "  in  a  meeting  place  commonly  called  the 
church,"  or  in  "  the  nearest  market  place,  on  3  successive  market  days." 
There  was  no  ceremony  with  any  ring,  and  as  to  kissing  the  parson  it  was 
too  shocking  for  the  saints  of  the  Commonwealth  to  contemplate. 

1687.     John,  the  son  of   John  Brownsword,  Rect. 
Born  9.      Baptized  July  20. 

1689.  Joseph,  ye  son  of  John  Brownsword,  May  ye  17. 

(See   List   of  Rectors). 

1690.  Anna  Daughter  of  Jonathan  Pye,  P'ish  Clark,  Dec.  ye  26th. 

1691.  Thomas,  ye  son  of  Wm.  Peet,  alias  Pink,  May  ye  3rd. 

1692.  James  Culshaw. 

Juvenis  vigints  circiter  annoy  natus. 
Thomas  Culshaw. 

Juvenis  Septendecem  utorque  de  Bickerstaff,  Baptizat  Sep.  18. 

A  youth  about  20,  and  a  youth  about  17,  both  baptized  18  Sep. 

1695.     Ann,  ye  daughter  of  Roger  Barton,  Baptised. 
The  ist  within  ye  new  act. 

Under  the  Act  7  and  8,  Wm.  III.,  c.  36,  it  was  required,  under  a 
penalty,  to  keep  a  register  of  all  births,  whether  the  children  were 
baptised  or  not.  It  was  unpopular,  and  allowed  to  lapse. 

1705.     Thomas, 

Jane,  children  of  Thos. ,  been  baptized,  the  I2th,  and  admitted 

into  ye  church,  Sep.  30. 

This  extract  will  simply  denote  an  instance  of  trusting  to  rough 
notes,  and  omitting  the  entries  at  the  time. 

1707.     Zachariah  Barrow,  of  the  parish  of  Halsall,  was  baptized,  being  ab. 
50  years  of  age,  Feb.  21. 

Illegitimate  children  are  recorded  in  various  ways ;  one  or  two 
examples  will  suffice. 

1604.     Amy,  the  bastard  daughter  of  Thomas  Halls,  the  2  Dec. 

1677.     John,  fil  Johannis  Jonndson  with  Cicely  Leven,  Aug.  12. 
Base. 


I  HE  REGISTERS.  77 


Marriages. 

There  are  not  many  entries  of  much  importance  under  this  heading. 
The  first  wedding  solemnized  is  that  between 

1541.     Edward  Hale  to  Ellyn  Atherton,  XXI  die  in  Maye. 

Little  did  these  contracting  parties  think,  when  their  names  were 
registered,  that  they  were  unwittingly  making  history — providing  an 
item  for  other  generations  to  know  whether  old  names  would  continue  in 
a  parish  or  not.  These  early  names  are  still  common  with  us. 

There  were  three  Marriages  in  the  opening  year. 

1606.     James  Woolsey,  or  Woosey,  as  Churchwarden,  signs  the  Register 

as  witness  to  a  marriage. 

Irrespective  of  the  fact  that  this  is  the  earliest  mention  of  a  Church- 
warden in  the  Parish  books,  it  brings  before  us  the  name  of  a  family 
whose  members  must  have  been  very  numerous,  and  who  took  great 
interest  in  all  parochial  affairs.  There  is  a  tradition  that  the  Wooseys,  or 
Wolseys,  sprang  from  the  same  origin  as  the  Cardinal  of  that  name.  The 
only  link  between  the  Cardinal  and  Lancashire  is,  when  Thomas,  second 
Earl  of  Derby,  died,  in  1522,  he  left  Cardinal  Wolsey  one  of  his  executors. 
Be  the  tradition  what  it  may,  it  is  singular  that  there  is  a  "  Woolsey's 
Croft  "  among  the  field  names  on  the  Moor  Hall  estate,  then  owned  by 
the  Stanleys.  "  Woosey's  Acre  "  also  appears  in  other  parts  of  the  parish. 
Peter  Woosey  is  a  witness  to  the  Stanley  marriage  contract  already  quoted, 
in  1579.  In  1673  another  Peter  Woosey  is  found  as  overseer  of  the  poor  ; 
and  yet  again  another  Peter,  in  1735,  is  found  in  the  Burial  Register, 
described  as  being  "  o'th  Town  Green."  Among  the  marriages  the 
following  occurs  : — 

1697.     Thomas  Chaddock  to   Ellen   Woosey.  both  of  Ormskirk   parish,  wth.  banns  thrice 
published  in  Ormskirk  Church. 

As  appears  by  a  certificate,  Aug.  ye  loth. 

1660.     Richard  Cowley  and  Margaret ,  30  Aug. 

The  lady's  maiden  name  has  not  been  handed  down  to  posterity. 
Another  case  of  negligence  in  omitting  the  entry  at  the  time. 


78  THE   REGISTERS. 


1694.     No  marriage  in  ye  church  this  year. 

1704.  Mr.  Christopher  Sudell,  Master  of  Arts,  to  Mrs.  Margaret  Jameson 
of  this  parish,  wth  license,  Nov.  2ist. 

(See  List  of  Rectors}. 

1706.  George  Naylor,  of  the  parish  of  Levepool,  blacksmith,  and  Ellen 
Marser,  of  ye  parish  of  Walton,  wth  lycence  obtained  from  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Henry  Richmond,  one  of  the  Rectors  of  Leverpoole. 

1729.  George  Wolstenholme,  of  Neston  in  Cheshire,  and  Eliz.  Weeck, 
in  Higham  Parish  in  Somersetshire,  with  lycense,  30  March. 

Burials. 

As  might  be  expected,  we  find  events  under  this  head  recorded  with 
fuller  detail,  and  less  imperfect.  Parishioners  of  all  denominations  were 
unwilling  to  be  excluded  from  the  churchyard  in  which  their  ancestors 
were  laid. 

The  first  burial  was  in 

1541.  Ellyn  Talyer.     In  October. 
There  were  three  burials  in  this  year. 

1542.  Aug. — Peter  Litherlonde. 

1547.     Bryan  Moorcrofte,  Rector,  Aughton. 

(See  List  of  Rectors) 
I555-     May. — Henrye  Gerrarde. 

1557.     Laurence  Starkye. 

1566.     Feb.— Thm.  Walshe,  Clerke. 

(See  List  of  Rectors — Edward  Morecroft) 
1582.     Aug. — Elizabeth,  uxor  Nicholas  Worthyngton. 

A  small  pane  of  stained  glass,  with  the  arms  of  this  family,  was  in  the 
chancel  window  of  the  old  church  prior  to  its  renovation. 

1586.     Nov. — Gonther  Martindale. 


THE  REGISTERS.  79 


1589.     Willm.  Longley. 

Associated  with  the  name  of  Longley  is  to  be  found  the  first  mention 
of  Town  Green.  It  is  in  a  deed,  dated — 

"  Aghton   p'mo   die   mes   Junii  anno  Regni   Reg   Henrico  octavi 
"  vicesimo  secundo  " 

(or  on  the  ist  June,  1530,  22  Henry  8th),.  which  is  a  conveyance  for  the 
purpose  of  a  marriage  settlement  between  one  Thomas  Longley,  and 
Margarey  (Scaresbrecke  ?),  concerning  messuage  and  land  "  in  Aghton  in 
le  Towne  Greene." 

1593.     Thorn.  Walshe  de  Aughton,  Gen. 

One  of  the  oldest  and  most  influential  names  in  connection  with  the 
parish.  The  name  appears  frequently  under  the  arbitrary  titles  of 
Walensis,  le  Walays,  le  Walais,  afterwards  called  Walens  and  Walsh. 
The  name  is  coeval  with  the  first  mention  of  any  church  here.  Notice  is 
taken  of  another  Thm.  Walshe,  Curate  under  "  Rectors  ''  (Bryan 
Moorcrofte). 

In  34  Eliz.  (1591),  there  was  a  suit  between  Laurence  Ireland  and 
Thomas  Walshe  and  his  wife,  respecting  Lydiate  Manor,  the  Hall,  and  the 
goods  therein,  which  may  be  the  same  whose  burial  is  here  noticed.  The 
name  occurs  on  several  occasions  acting  on  parochial  business,  the  last 
being  in  1748. 

Walsh  Hall,  the  ancient  seat  of  the  family,  is  now  but  a  name  ;  the 
ivy-covered  porch  being  the  only  remnant  left  standing.  The  other 
portion  has  been  "improved"  off  the  ground  to  "  make"  material  for  the 
erection  of  farm  premises. 

The  house  consisted  of  a  centre,  with  two  projecting  wings,  and  had 
been  built  on  the  site  of  the  old  original  hall.  I  am  informed  that,  in 
front  of  the  house  in  dry  weather,  the  grass  showed  the  lines  of  old 
foundations — apparently  a  courtyard  and  side  buildings.  During  the 
demolition  in  April,  1891,  a  portion  of  an  engraved  stone  was  unearthed, 
bearing  the  date  of  1675.  A  portion  of  the  moat  is  still  there,  and  a 


ffl 


THE  REGISTERS.  81 


sun-dial  stands  in  the  deserted  looking  gardens.  This  bears  the  name  of 
Bryan  Wilcock,  denoting  its  age  when  the  house,  rearing  itself  among  the 
low-lying  meadows,  was  known  as  the  "  Hall  of  Walsh."  Bryan  Wilcock 
was  Churchwarden  in  1738. 

1593.     Januarie. — Henrie  Starkye. 

1593.     Sepr. — Izabell,  uxor  Henrie  Starkye. 

The  will  of  Henrie  Starkye,  of  Aughton,  Gent.,  was  proved  on  the 
25th  January,  1593,  in  which  he  desires  to  be  buried  in  the  church,  "  in 
that  place  whear  myne  ancestors  have  beene  buried  theare." 

By  "  that  place  "  he  would  naturally  refer  to  the  burial  place  of  his 
ancestor,  John  Starkye,  who  had  ordered  by  his  will  (proved  i6th  Sep., 
1527)  that  he  should  be  buried  "in  Aughton  Church  before  the  altar  of 
St.  Nicholas,"  and  also  left  6s.  8d.  for  the  reparation  of  the  church.  This 
altar  may  have  been  an  endowed  chantry  ;  but,  as  there  appears  to  be  no 
record  of  any  chantry  in  Aughton,  1545,  in  all  probability  the  endowment 
was,  like  hundreds  of  others  during  the  time  of  the  Reformation,  mis- 
appropriated. The  identity  of  the  site  of  the  altar  has  also  been  entirely 
lost.  The  family  of  Starkye,  or  Starkey,  would  seem  to  have  resided  in, 
or  owned,  the  old  Hall ;  for,  in  1681,  one  John  Starkey  sold  it  to  Roger 
Bostock  of  Ormskirk. 

1600.     Feb. — Bartholomew  Hesketh,  Esquire. 

This  gentleman  is  described  as  the  natural  son  of  William  Hesketh, 
and  grandson  of  Sir  Thomas  Hesketh  of  Rufford.  He  was  Lord  of  the 
Manor  of  Aughton  and  Uplitherland  from  1575,  having  obtained  it  from 
the  Scarisbricks  in  that  year.  Among  the  "  List  of  Recusants  in  the 
"Countie  of  Lancaster,"  prepared  by  Bishop  Downham,  of  Chester,  in 
1577,  we  find  '' Bartholemew  Hesketh,  of  Aughton,  Gent.,  and  his  weif, 
being  doughter  to  John  Southworthe,  Knt."  This  lady  has  already 
appeared  in  our  notices  of  baptisms  (1578),  and  evidently  was  his  second 
wife.  This  "weif"  seems  to  have  given  considerable  trouble,  insomuch 
that  Downham's  successor,  Chaderton,  receives  notice  from  Sir  Francis 


82  THE  REGISTERS. 


Walsingham,  from  London — under  date,  1584,  May  2 — That  the  Council, 
"  having  been  informed  of  the  lewd  disposition  of  the  wife  of  Bartholomew 
"  Hesketh,  who  doth  much  hurt  in  being  at  liberty  to  go  where  she  likes, 
"  the  Council  wishes  the  Bishop  to  apprehend  and  commit  her."  She 
evidently  went  into  hiding,  for,  according  to  Eland's  "  Annals  of  Southport," 
he  states  that  Meols  Hall  appeared  to  have  been  a  favourite  hiding  place 
for  recusants  ;  and  that  members  of  the  Hesketh  family  resided  there 
during  these  turbulent  times. 

At  the  General  Levy  of  arms  in  1574,  Bartholomew  Hesketh    was 
ordered  to  find  the  following  equipment  : — 


Almon  Ryvetts 

2 

Sheffe  Arrowes 

Pykes  

2 

Steele  Cappes 

Long  Does     ... 

2 

Gulliver 

Morrian          ...         ...         I 

l602.     Myles  Garrarde.     June. 

Award  made  1583,  i6th  October,  25th  Elizabeth,  by  John  Crosse, 
Merchant  (Mayor  of  Liverpool,  1566),  assisted  by  Richard  Byrkened  (Re- 
corder of  Chester),  in  a  dispute  between  Thomas  Gerrard,  son  and  heir  of 
Myles  Gerrard,  of  Aughton,  gentleman,  on  the  first  part,  and  Henry 
Mossocke,  of  Bickerstaffe,  about  the  title  to  a  parcel  of  land  called 
"  '  Croshawe,'  and  a  part  of  the  mosse,  in  Aughton,  near  to  the  residence  of 
"  Henry  Mossocke,  in  Bickerstaffe."  The  dispute,  which  arose  through  the 
ill-defined  boundaries  of  Bickerstaffe  and  Aughton,  seems  to  have  ended 
generally  against  Mossocke,  as  sums  of  3/4  and  6/8  compensation  were 
awarded  to  Gerrarde,  to  be  paid  by  Mossocke  on  the  feast  day  "  of  St. 
"  Michael,  the  Archangel,  at  the  Parish  Church  of  Aughton,  between  2 
"  and  4  o'clock." 

Among  the  field  names  on  the  Moor  Hall  Estate  we  find  Long  Crotia 
and  Crotia  Meadow,  which  may  be  identical  with  the  parcel  of  land  here 
in  dispute,  and  the  wood  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  the  Hall  is 
still  known  as  Crow  Orchard. 

The  deed  from  which  this  extract  is  made  is  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Bromley. 


THE  REGISTERS.  83 


1631.  A  poor  boy,  a  stranger,  whose  name  was  knowd  not,  13  Feby. 

1633.  A  still-born  child,  De  Lidiat,  14  Dec. 

1643.  A  still-born  child  of  Mr.  Gearrards,  26  July. 

1644.  Mary,  wife  of  Mr.  Hooton  Stanley. 

1645.  Mr.  Nicholas  Bannister,  Docter. 

(See  List  of  Rectors'). 

1650.     James  Sumnox  was  found  dead  in  a  lumn  of  water  upon  Gibend, 
1 6  June. 

According  to  Skeat,  a  lum  is  a  deep  pool  ;  in  our  field  names,  we 
still  have  a  Lum  Hey  and  a  Gib's  meadow. 

1653.     Peter,  son  of  Edward  Stanley,  Gentleman,  Sep.  27. 

1657-     David  Langley,   buried  at  the  back  side  William  Langley  house, 
near  the  hempe  yard,  Jany  ye  fifteen. 

This  is  the  only  instance  I  find  of  the  exact  locality  of  a  burial-place. 
This  entry  is  from  the  Commonwealth  particular  register,  and  will  prove 
the  existence  of  dwellings  abutting  on  the  church  in  Cromwell's  time. 

According  to  T.  F.  Thiselton  Dyer,  in  his  admirable  and  interesting 
work,  "  Church  Lore,"  the  back  side  of  the  church  was  generally 
understood  to  be  the  North,  or  "wrong  side  of  the  church."  In  many 
churches,  principally  in  rural  parishes,  this  side  remained  comparatively 
unoccupied,  from  the  popular  idea  that  it  was  "  burial  without  the 
sanctuary."  Excommunicated  people,  suicides,  and  still-born  infants  were 
generally  interred  on  this  side.  In  Epworth  Churchyard,  there  is  a 
tombstone  bearing  date  1807,  with  a  poetical  inscription,  concluding  thus  : 

"  That  I  might  longer  undisturbed  abide, 
I  choos'd  to  be  laid  on  this  northern  side." 

1660.     John  Underwodd.     July  23. 


THE  REGISTERS. 


l66l.     Edward,  filius  Hugh  Dicconson  de  Wrightington,  Esq.     May  25. 

A  brass  plate  on  a  tombstone  on  the  south  side  of  the  chancel 
contains  a  Latin  inscription  to  this  effect  : — 

"  Here,  where  godly  nature,  characteristic  excellence,  and  great 
"  affection  beyond  expectation  are  preserved,  to  be  speedily 
"  carried  away  for  the  blessed  rest,  is  placed  Edward,  son  of 
"  Hugh  Dicconson,  of  Wrightington,  Esquire.  He  yielded 
"  up  his  soul,  and  passed  away  in  the  ninth  year  of  his  tender 
"  age.  Not  without  grievous  murmuring  was  he  snatched 
"  away  the  twenty -fourth  day  of  May,  in  the  year  of  the 
"redemption  of  the  woi'ld,  1661.  In  this  sleeping  place  his 
"  bones  and  flesh  rest  anxiously  waiting  for  the  loud  summons 
"  of  the  trumpet  call  to  be  raised  from  the  bonds  of  death  to 
"  the  grace  of  judgment." 

The  inscription  is  in  Roman  characters,  with  barely  space  to  define 
the  commencement  or  ending  of  each  word.  There  are  also  several  con- 
tractions, and  the  brass  is  so  worn  that  several  words  are  conjectural. 
Hugh  Dicconson,  and  his  only  surviving  son,  William,  appear  in  the  list 
of  "  Popish  Recusants  of  the  greatest  quality  in  the  County  of  Lane,  to 
"be  banished  by  Act  of  Parliament,  held  Oct.,  1680."  How  this  elder 
son  came  to  be  buried  at  Aughton  I  do  not  understand,  as  the  laws  against 
recusants  were  very  strict  concerning  burial  at  their  parish  church,  which 
would  be  Chorley  or  Standish.  I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  Bromley  for  the 
translation  of  the  inscription. 

1673.     Peter  Stanley,  Gent.,  Jan.  10. 

1673.     Earth.  Hesketh,  Gent.,  Jan.  12. 

In  1657,  it  was  awarded  that  Uplitherland  was  a  distinct  manor 
within  the  parish  of  Aughton,  and  that  this  gentleman  was  sole  lord  and 
owner  ;  also  that  Aughton  was  another  manor,  and  that  Lord  Viscount 
Molyneux,  Laurence  Ireland,  and  this  Bartholomew  Hesketh  were  the  three 


THE  REGISTERS.  85 


lords  thereof.  His  share  of  the  property  descended  to  Alexander  Hesketh, 
who  tried  to  sell  it  to  Richard  Norris,  of  Liverpool  (see  General  Annals, 
1705),  and  ultimately  did  dispose  of  it  to  John  Plumbe  in  1718. 

1674.     Rector  Stanynought,  Rector,  Apr.  7. 

(See  List  of  Rectors). 

1687.     Margaret  Bicursteth,  without  affidt :  and  ye  Forfeiture  by  ye  act 
parlt  :  June  ye  23. 

This  entry  brings  us  to  one  of  the  most  extraordinary  enactments  of 
Charles  II. 's  reign — that  of  "  burying  in  wollen."  It  was  professedly  passed 
"  for  the  encouragement  of  wollen  manufacturers,  and  prevention  of  the 
"  exportation  of  moneys  for  the  buying  and  importing  of  linen  "  ;  and 
ordered,  that  no  person  should  be  ''  buried  in  any  shirt,  shift,  or  sheet? 
"  other  than  should  be  made  of  wool  onely." 

At  the  time  of  burial,  it  was  the  custom  of  the  parish  clerk  to  call  out 
at  the  grave  side,  ''  Who  makes  affidavit  ? "  whereupon  some  relative 
would  come  forward  and  take  the  necessary  oath.  Penally  for  omission  of 
this  affidavit — as  the  representatives  of  this  Margaret  Bicursteth  would 
have  to  pay— was  ^"5,  generally  divided  between  the  poor  of  the  parish 
and  the  informer.  All  other  burials  of  those  whose  relatives  had  complied 
with  the  order  have  the  mark  *'  Cm.  aff :  "  opposite  them.  It  was  only  in 
1871  that  this  relic  of  the  past  was  finally  disposed  of. 

1689.     Edward  Stanley,  gent.,  Sep.  9. 

Another  gentleman,  whose  name,  among  60  others,  was  returned  to 
Government,  "  to  be  banished  by  act  of  Parliament  1680  "  for  Recusancy. 

1691.  Three  new  born  infants  of  James  Bromley  of  Lidiate.  in  one  coffin 

Feb.  ye  1 8. 

1692.  A  poor  traveller  and  her  infant,  Apr.  ye  12. 

1694.  Thomas  Walsh,  gent. 

1695.  A  half  still-born  child  of  Thos.  Fairclough. 


86  THE  REGISTERS. 


1698.     Robert  Litham,  Schoolmaster. 

1698.     Ellen,  the  daughter  of  Thomas  Spencer,  of  Conscough,  Sepre-  19. 

1700.     John  Brownsword,  Rector,  buried  June  25. 

(See  List  of  Rectors) 

1708.  Edward  Bickerstaff,  clerk  of  ye  Church. 

1709.  Ann  Walch,  May  2. 

1710.  John,  son  of  Francis  Irelande,  Gent.,  Aug.  25. 
1710.  Katherine,  daughter  of  Roger  Harrocks,  Feb.  21. 
1715.  Roger  Harrocks,  of  Aughton,  Yeoman,  Feb.  27. 

A  brass  on  one  of  the  principal  pillars  has  the  following  : — 

HERE-UNDER  LYES  THE  BODY  OF  KATHERINE 
HARROCKS,   WHO  DEPARTED  THIS  LIFE  THE   18 
DAY  OF  FEBRUARY,   ^°,  AGED  21   YEARS. 
LIKEWISE  THE  BODY  OF  HER  FATHER,  ROGER 
HARROCKS,  WHO  DEPARTED  THIS   LIFE  THE 
27  FEBRUARY,   1715,  AGED   52  YEARS. 

1715.     Alice  Bouker,  of  Aughton,  Widow,  Feb.  13. 

Bouker's  Estate  is  mentioned  in  1701,  and  the  family  name  is 
evidently  retained  in  what  is  known  as  Bouker's  Green. 

1720.     The  Rev.  Mr.  Hindley,  Rector  of  Aughton,  Nov.  12. 

(See  List  of  Rectors). 

1725.     Mr.  Brownsword  of  Ormskirk,  Apr.  24. 

This  will  be  the  father  of  Mr.  Brownsword  mentioned  in  the  Blundell 
Records  as  being  "the  atturney  drinking  at  Crosby  bowling  green,"  16 
Aug.,  1727,  and  whose  name  figures  in  our  parish  books  with  such  items  as 
"  Given  to  Mr.  Brownsword  a  ffee/'  35.  6d.,  £c. 


THE  REGISTERS.  87 


I727-     Thos.  Barton  buryed  in  ye  church,  June  ye  25th. 

In  the  churchwardens'  accounts  are  several  receipts  "for  Buryals  in 
the  Church,"  2s.  6d.  being  an  average  amount  received.  It  has  been 
assumed  that  to  the  parson  only  belonged  all  burial  fees  ;  but  payments  of 
this  kind  are  so  frequent  that  it  is  evident  a  common  law  right  must  have 
existed  of  a  payment  to  the  wardens  for  disturbing  the  floor  of  the  church. 

1727.     John  Mercer  of  Aughton  Hall,  Sep.  6th. 

Aughton  Hall,  or  the  Old  Hall,  was  the  ancient  seat  of  the  De 
Actons,  or  De  Aghtons  ;  and,  according  to  Baines,  was  in  existence  in  the 
year  1400.  In  a  deed,  dated  "  14  Sept  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  according 
to  the  computation  of  the.  Church  of  England  1681,"  John  Starkey 
covenants  to  sell  to  Roger  Bostock  of  Ormskirk,  "  That  capitall  messuage 
"  Mansion  or  Manor  House  situate,  standing,  and  being  in  the  parish  of 
"  Aughton,  near  the  parociall  church,  commonly  called  and  known  by  the 
"  name  of  the  Hall  of  Aughton  ;"  also  meadows,  &c.,  known  as  the  Rye  Hey, 
the  Wrangling  Croft,  &c.  ;  in  all  about  8  acres  of  land.  The  price  was 
^"227,  and  an  annual  rent  of  ^"8  during  his  life  ;  then  a  £\  annually  to  his 
widow  ;  and  ^"20  to  be  paid  to  Edward  Starkey  on  his  reaching  21  years. 
The  deed  from  which  this  extract  is  taken  is  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Bromley,  Lathom. 

Ill  1717  Samuel  Birch,  Rochdale,  devised  this  estate  to  his  daughter, 
wife  of  Thomas  Hesketh  (the  fourth  in  descent  from  Bartholomew 
Hesketh),  for  her  life,  and  her  issue  by  any  future  husband  ;  it  being  his 
intention,  and  wish,  to  exclude  her  then  husband  and  her  two  sons  from 
all  interest  in  his  estates. 

Previous  to  1840,  it  was  the  property  of  T.  S.  M.  Stanley,  Esq.,  at 
whose  sale  Mr.  Gaskell  of  Wigan  purchased  it.  The  late  Edgar  Musgrove, 
Esq.,  bought  it  in  1857  ;  and  the  present  owner  is  Thomas  Seddon,  Esq. 

1727.     Henry  Molyneux  de  Hills  in  Aughton,  Oct.  loth. 

The  "  Clieves  Hill  "  district  of  the  parish  is  always  mentioned  in  this 
way,  and  it  would  almost  be  possible  to  re-people  the  place  in  bygone  days 
with  "Moorecrofts  of  Hills,"  "  Tyrer  de  Hills,"  '-Roger  Harrocke,  Cleeves 
Hill,"  &c. 

G 


THE  REGISTERS. 


1728.     Mrs.  Alice  Badeleye,  from  ye  Hall,  Oct.  10. 

1728.  John  Sutch,  from  Leverpoole,  Oct.  16. 

1729.  A  travelling  child,  Nov.  6th.     No.  aff. 

1730.  A  poor  man,  a  traveller,  name  unknown,  July  28. 

1731.  Madam  Wolfall,  of  Moor  Hall,  wth.  affd.,  Oct.  25. 

In  all  probability  this  lady  will  be  Ann,  eldest  daughter  of  James 
Stanley,  who  was  buried  at  Ormskirk  in  1653.  She  married  Richard 
Wolfall,  Esq.,  of  Wolfall  Hall,  Prescot,  who  also  died  at  Moor  Hall.  The 
Rev.  T.  E.  Gibson,  in  his  work  "  Lydiate  Hall,"  quoting  Mr.  N.  Blundell's 
Diary  under  date  "1719,  May  18,  my  wife  and  I  dined  at  Lidiat  with 
"  Mr.  Moston — thence  we  went  to  Mickering  where  we  found  Mrs.  Wolfoll 
"and  Mr.  B.  Blundell."  Mrs.  Woolfall,  in  her  will,  left  ^300  for  the 
support  of  a  priest  attending  Catholics  at  Moor  Hall. 

1734.     The  Rev.  Mr.  Atherton,  Nov.  15. 

(See  List  of  Rectors). 
1734.     Mary,  daughter  of  James  Crookhouse,  with  affd.,  being  the  first 

after  the  old  Rector,  Nov.  24. 
1739.     Henry  Barton,  Papist. 

Catholics  were  treated  as  dying  excommunicated  from  Queen 
Elizabeth's  time. 

1745-     John   Taylor,   of    Cartmel,    who   was   killed    with   a   Halbard   by 
accidence,  Nov.  26. 

(See  Churchwardens'  Accounts  for  this  year). 
1758.     Mr.  Henry  Plumbe,  Feb.  8th. 

This  gentleman  was  churchwarden  in  1756,  but  evidently  not  con- 
nected with  the  rector  of  this  name.  In  the  North  aisle  is  a  stone  to  his 
memory,  with  the  following  somewhat  whimsical  epitaph  : — 

HERE  LIES  HENY  PLUMBE,  GENT., 
WHO  DIED  FEBY.  STH,  1758. 

a  tear — 
To  Buried  virtue  canst  thou  shed 

e. 
Reader,  weep  on,  for  it  lies  Buried  her 

A  writer  in  1826  describes  this  stone  as  being  iu  the  churchyard. 


THE  REGISTERS.  89 


Of  other  epitaphs,  or  churchyard  poetry,  there  is  very  little  store  in 
Aughton.  The  following  one  is  duplicated  on  several  stones  : — 

Afflictions  sore 
Long  time  she  bore  ; 

Physicians  were  in  vain, 
But  death  gave  ease 
When  God  did  please 

To  take  away  her  pain. 

One  to  John  Freeman  may  bear  repeating — 

My  plough  and  harrow  I've  resign 'd, 
My  horses  all  have  lost  their  wind  : 
My  field  is  plough'd,  my  work  is  done, 
My  seed  is  sown,  and  I  am  gone. 

1762.     Madam  Plumbe,  Dec.  24. 

1767.     Mr.  Henry  Aspinwall,  Apr.  29. 

The  only  carved  pew  in  the  church  bears  this  name,  with  the  date  1708. 

1769.     The   Rev.    Thomas   Plumbe,   Rector    of    the    Parish   Church    of 
Aughton,  died  Nov.  29  ;  and  was  buried  in  the  chancel,  Dec.  2, 

1769. 

(See  List  of  Rectors). 

1786.     John  McCausland,  parish  dark  ;    also  church  dark  for  forty-two 
years,  May  4. 

1786.     Nov.    10. — Wm.    Harrison,    of    Whitehaven,    Innkeeper,    found 
murdered  in  this  parish. 

1786.     Henry  Stanley,  of  Aughton,  gentleman,  Dec.  2. 

1791.  March  n. — Miss  Ann  Stanley,  of  Aughton. 

1792.  Charles  Stanley,  Esq.,  Aughton  ;  aged  77,  of  a  Decline, 

These  Stanleys  lived  at  Up  Litherland  Hall,  Goe  Hill  Lane.  This 
curious  extract,  from  an  old  Minute  Book,  includes  Charles  Stanley's  name, 
with  others,  "approved  of  by  the  Rector  for  the  time  being." 


go  THE  REGISTERS. 


1745.     April  1 6. 

"  Whereas  several  felonies  and  petty  Larcencies  have  of  late  been 
"  committed  on  the  properties  of  several  parishoners  within  the 
"  parish  of  Aughton  in  the  County  of  Lancaster  by  persons 
*'  going  about  the  country  under  several  pretences  and 
"  Whereas  the  said  Robberies  have  frequently  happened  to 
"  persons  not  of  ability  to  prosecute  with  effect  the  persons 
"  guilty  thereof,  whereby  the  Robbers  have  frequently  escaped 
"  the  punishment  due  to  their  crimes.  In  order  that  prosecu- 
"  tions  may  be  carry'd  on  against  such  offenders  and  that  they 
"  may  for  the  future  be  prosecuted  and  brought  to  due 
"  punishment,  we  whose  names  are  subscribed  being  the  prin- 
"  cipall  inhabitants  and  Land  owners  within  the  said  parish  of 
''  Aughton  Do  hereby  consent  and  mutually  agree  that  from 
"  henceforth  all  Robberies,  housebreakings,  and  petty  Larcen- 
"  cies  of  wh.  kind  soever  shall  or  may  be  done  or  committed 
"  within  the  said  parish,  upon  whose  properties  soever  the 
"  same  shall  happen,  that  the  prosecution  of  such  offenders  or 
"  felons  shall  be  carryed  on  by  the  overseer  of  the  poor  at  the 
"  charge  of  the  said  parish  and  the  money's  paid  and  disbursed 
"  in  such  prosecution  shall  be  allowed  and  approved  of  by  the 
"  Rector  for  the  time  being,  Charles  Stanley,  Esq.,  Jno. 
"  Plumbe,  Bryan  Wilcock,  Peter  Woosey,  Henry  Aspinwall, 
;'  Thomas  Ince,  and  the  overseers  of  the  poor  for  the  time 
"  being." 

Thos.  Plumbe,  Rector  James  Ashcroft 

Bryan  Wilcox  James  Harker 

Hen  Plumbe  Thos.  Bastwell 

Henry  Gill  James  Taylor 

John  Pye  Robert  Tyrer 

Thos.  Harrocks  John  Goore 

Thos.  Cross  Hen  Aspinwall 

C.  Stanley  Jno.  Kippax 


THE  REGISTERS.  91 


1795.  June  17. 

Henry  Leathers,  of  Aughton,  Husbandman,  aged  19,  casually  killed 
with  a  cart. 

1795-  The  burials  iu  the  month  of  April  this  year  show  there  must  have 
been  nothing  short  of  an  epidemic  of  fever  amongst  the 
community. 

1796.  Jan.  28. — John  Plumbe,  of  Liverpool,  Esq.,  aged  71  years;  died 

suddenly. 

1799.  Feb.  i. — Hannah  Plumbe,  relict  of  John  Plumbe,  aged  62,  of  a 
fever. 

In  the  chapel,  known  as  the  Plumbe  Chapel,  is  a  marble  tablet 
ornamented  with  the  family  bearings.  It  was  originally  placed  on  the 
south  side  of  the  altar,  and  was  removed  when  the  chancel  was  renovated. 
The  inscription  is  as  follows  : — 

NEAR  THIS  PLACE  ARE  INTERRED  THE  MORTAL  REMAINS  OF 

JOHN    PLUMB'S  ESQUIRE. 

ELDER   SON    OF    THE    REVD-   THOMAS   PLUMBE-    M.A.,   FORMERLY 
RECTOR  OF  THIS  PARISH,  IN  WHOSE  CHARACTER  INTEGRITY  OF  CONDUCT  AND 

BENEVOLENCE  OF   HEART  WERE  EMINENTLY  UNITED. 

WITH   SUCH   A   DISPOSITION,   HE   COULD   NOT   KAIL   IN    LYFE 

TO  BE  REGARDED,  AND  IN  DEATH  TO   BE  LAMENTED 

BY  MANY  FRIENDS. 
HE  DIED  AT  LIVERPOOL,  JANY.  22ND,  1796.  IN  THE  69™ 

YEAR    OF    HIS    AGE  ; 

ALSO  THE   BODY  OF   HANNAH   PLUMBE.  HIS  WIDOW, 

WHO    DEPARTED    THIS    LIFE    AT    LIVERPOOL, 

JANY.  27™,   1799,  IN  THE  6sRD  YEAR  OF  HER  AGE. 

1830.     Jane  Winstanley,  Apr.  26,  100  yrs. 

The  only  instance  of  a  centenarian  I  have  found. 


92  THE  REGISTERS. 


It    only    remains    to    notice    the    manner    adopted    of    registering 
illegitimates. 

1593.     Richard   Morrall,   the   base   or   bastard   son   of  Thomas  Morrall, 

of —    — ,  within  the of —    — ,  was  buried  at  Aughton 

In  Marche. 

1628.     Two  base  begotton  daughters  of  Anne  Woone  and  William  Nato, 
Jany.  20. 

1745.     Lilia  Blakway,  spurious,  June  29. 


BRIEFS. 


BRIEFS. 

UMM AGING  in  the  Parish  Chest  I  found  an  old 
memorandum  book,  containing,  among  other  things,  a 
list  of  Briefs  read  in  Aughton  Church,  A.D.  1701  to 
1727.  This  collection  of  18  leaves,  with  its  cover 
(which,  by  the  way,  seems  to  be  a  copy  of  an  old  Aughton  will, 
1653),  is  fast  going  to  decay,  having  been  roughly  used,  and  is  torn 
and  obliterated  in  many  places.  I  have  copied  the  contents  as  accurately 
as  I  could. 

A  Brief  may  be  described  as  a  method  of  raising  a  given  sum  of 
money  for  a  charitable  object,  under  the  direct  sanction  of  the  Sovereign 
for  the  time  being  ;  hence  these  documents  were  frequently  called  u  King's 
Briefs."  The  practice  of  granting  them  was  of  considerable  antiquity — 
some  dating  from  the  reign  of  Henry  the  Sixth.  They  were  ordered  to  be 
publicly  read  in  churches  on  some  Sunday  within  2  months  after  receipt 
by  the  churchwardens  ;  and,  on  referring  to  the  Rubric  in  the  Prayer  Book 
following  the  Nicene  Creed,  they  were  ordered  to  be  read  just  before  the 
sermon.  They  set  forth  in  stirring  language  the  details  of  the  calamity, 
with  some  indication  of  the  amount  of  loss  incurred.  Before  fire  insurance 
became  general,  a  large  fire  hardly  ever  occurred  without  these  documents 
being  called  into  requisition.  The  amounts  collected  were  immensely  out 
of  proportion  to  the  sum  required,  and  it  is  to  be  well  imagined  that  the 
givers  were  disgusted  at  the  numerous  calls  on  their  generosity.  It  is  a 
fact  that  the  farming  of  briefs  was  quite  a  business  with  certain  people, 
who  no  doubt  reaped  the  lion's  share,  and  in  Pepys'  diary  is  the  following 
entry  : — 

l66l.     June  30. — Sunday. 

a  To  church  where  we  observe  the  trade  of  briefs  is  come  now  up  to 
"  so  constant  a  course  every  Sunday  that  we  resolve  to  give  no 
"  more  to  them.1' 


96  BRIEFS. 

The  practice  of  issuing  them  was  continued  till  early  in  the  present 
century,  when  it  appears  to  have  fallen  gradually  into  disuse,  and  was 
finally  abolished  by  Sir  Robert  Peel's  motion  in  Parliament  in  1828, 
although  for  many  years  a  sort  of  informal  brief  was  issued  ;  and  among 
other  papers  I  found  a  receipt  for  £10,  "collection  under  King's  Letter," 
dated  2nd  February,  1833,  which,  I  fancy,  will  be  one  of 'the  last  even  of 
those. 

Briefs  read  in  Aughton  Church  from  1701  to  1727. 

1701.     June  5. — Then  Read  the  petition  of  Thomas  Comax,  of— 

in  Tottington,  upon  ye  account  of  fire  and  damage,  one 
hundred  and  fifteen  pounds.  The  collection  amounts  to  four 
shillings  and  four  pence  and  received 

1701.  August  3rd. — Read  ye  Brief  of  Eccleshall,  loss  by  fire  the  summe 
amounting  to  529  :  14  :  5,  and  the  collection  made  4  :  4^. 

1701.  Sep.  28. — Read  the  Brief  for  ye  Repairs  of  Chester  Cathedral,  the 
sums  amounting  to  7000  pounds,  and  ye  collection  Gathered 
made  01  :  08  :  02. 

1701.  Dec.  14. — Read  ye  Brief  towards  ye  Repair  of  Bromley  Church,  in 

ye  County  of  Stafford,  ye  sum  amounting  to  3000,  and  the 
collection  gathered  made  oo  :  03  :  08. 

1701  (2  ?).  Jan.  25. — Read  Catterbanck's  brief  for  his  loss  by  fire  ye  sums 
amounting  to  492,  and  the  collection  gathered  made  2/10. 

1701  (2  ?).  Feb.  22. — Read  the  brief  for  ye  church  of  Rye,  ye  sume 
amounting  to  1500,  and  ye  collection  gathered  made  3  :  9|. 

1701  (2  ?).  March,  22. — Read  Rob.  Abram's  petition,  of  North  Meols,  for 
his  loss  and  ye  Inundation  of  water,  ye  summe  amounting  to 
^"200,  and  ye  collection  gathered  4  :  5|. 

1702.  Oct.  4. — Read,  the  Brief  for  ye  town  of  Blaesdon  by  fire,  the  sum 

amounting  ro^42io  :  and  5  collection  gathered  3/10. 

1703.  March    5. — Read   the  brief  for  ye   Protestants  of  Fra-(nce),  the 

collection  amounting  to  two  pounds  halfpenny. 


BRIEFS.  97 

1705.  Sep.  6. — Read  Allen  and  others'  Brief,  of  Stobbegton,  loss  by  fire 
the  sum  of  ^"1134  and  upwards,  the  collection  gathered  4/8. 

1705.  Nov.  15. — Read  and  collected  John  Bamlon's  Brief  for  ^"1000,  the 
collection  made  2/4^. 

1705.  Dec.  2. — Then   read   and  collected   Rich    Davies'  Brief  for  1131 

pounds  and  upwards,  the  collection  made  amounting  to  2/4. 

1706.  Feb.   10. — Read  Bradmore's  loss  by  fire  sum  totall  ^"2400,  isum 

gathered  2/11^. 

1706.  March  31. — Read  Chatteris'  Brief  in  the  Isl  of  Ely,  loss  by  fire  the 
sum  total  1787,  collected  3/6^. 

N.D.     Ye  Brief  for  all  Saints'  Church  in gathered  thro'  the  Parish, 

the  sum  amounting  to  10/10,  the  sum  of  ye  Brief  ^4800. 

N.D.  Aprill  7. — Margaret  Parrin's  Petition  Read  in  the  church  of 
Aughton,  and  the  sum  gathered  was  2/7. 

June  2. — Torrington  in  Devon,  their  Brief  Read,  the  Ioss'_^~i6oo,  the  sum 

gathered  3/3^. 
Aug.  1 8. — Morgan's  Law,  in  Southwark,  loss  by  fire,  damage  2706,  sum 

gathered,  3/9. 
Sep.  8. — Darlington  church  Brief,  damage  1205,  collected  3/-|. 

Oct.  20. — Barset  church  Brief,  damage  1482,  collected  2/11. 

1712.  28  Dec. — Then  Read  ye  Brief  for  Battle  bridge,  in  Southwark,  and 

ye  work  following,  the  charity  was  collected  thro'  ye  Parish 
amounting  to  ye  sum  of  io/.  The  loss  by  fire  was  ^12254 
and  upwards. 

1712  (3?)-  Feb.  15. — Then  Read  ye  Brief  for  Ponsford  church,  in  ye 
County  of  Somerset,  and  collected  ye  sum  of  3/1. 

1712  (3).  Mar.  15. — Then  Read  ye  Brief  for  St.  Clement's  church,  at 
Hastings,  in  ye  county  of  Sussex,  and  collected  ye  sum  of  3, 7|, 
Damage  1550  and  upwards. 

1713.  Apr.  26. — Then  Read  ye  Brief  for  Colvorton  church,  in  ye  County 

of  Leicester,  ye  damage  being  2412  and  upwards, [and  collected 
for  ye  same  0:3:  o|. 


98  BRIEFS. 

1713.  May  3. — Then  read  ye  Brief  for  loss  by  fire  at  Little  Brick  ill  and 
Towcester,  and  collected  for  ye  same  ye  sum  of  i;6^. 

1713.  June  21. — Then  read  ye  Brief  for  ye  church  of  Warminham,  in  ye 
County  of  Chester,  damage  885  and  upwards,  and  collected  for 
ye  same  ye  sum  of  17. 

1713.  Aug.  2. — Then  read  ye  Brief  for  ye  church  of  Woodham  Forrys, 
in  ye  county  of  Essex,  damage  1425  and  upwards,  and  collected 
for  ye  same  ye  sum  of  2\-\. 

1713.  Aug.  30. — Then  Read  ye  Brief  for  Willin  Adams,  loss  by  fire  1 108 
and  upwards,  and  collected  for  ye  same  ye  sum  of  3,3^. 

1713.  Sep.  27. — Then  read  ye  Brief  for  loss  by  fire  in  Rudgley  and 
Wrexham  Abbot,  ye  damages  whereof  amounted  to  1691  and 
upwards,  and  collected  for  ye  same  ye  sum  of  4  :  5^. 

1713.  Oct.  ii. — Then  read  ye  Brief  for  ye  Repair  of  Southwell  church 
damagd  3800  and  upwards,  and  collected  for  ye  same  ye  sum  of 
2  :  ii/ 

1713.  Oct.  25. — Then  Read  ye  Brief  for  ye  repair  of  ye  Church  of 
Burton-upon-Trent  and  ye  work  following,  collected  from 
house  to  house  for  ye  same  ye  sum  of  6  :  6|. 

1713.  Nov.  22. — Then  read  ye  brief  for  Quatford  Church,  damages  1366 
and  upwards,  and  collected  for  ye  same  2/2^. 

1713.  Dec.    27. — Then    read   ye   brief    for   St.   Margt.-at-cliffe   Church, 

damagd  1384  and  upwards,  and  collected  for  ye  same  3/0. 

1714.  Jan.  24. — Then  read  ye  brief  for  Shipwash  Church,  Darriagd  1155 

and  upwards,  and  collected  for  ye  same  2/8. 

1713   (1714)-      Feb.    21. — Leighton    church    Brief    read,   damagd    1516, 

collected  for  it  1/4. 
1713  (1714)-     March  21. — Withridge  and  Chilton  brief  read,  loss  by  fire 

1116,  and  collected  for  it  2li\. 

1714.     May  9. — St.  Mary  church  brief  read,  and  collected  for  ye  same  i/i  i. 
1714.     June  6. — Dorchester  brief  read,  and  collected  for  ye  same  r  lof. 


BRfEFS.  99 

1714.  Sep.  12. — Given  to  Rich*  Right,  of  Barton,  in  Lancashire,  sufferer 
by  fire  to  ye  damage  of  ^"365  shewed  by  certificate,  wh  was 
sent  from  ye  Bishop  of  Chester  ye  sum  o  :  i/o. 

1714.     Sep.  12. — Read  Brief,  and  collected  for  ye  same  0:0:0!! 

1714.     Sep.  26. — Read  ye  brief  for  St.  John  Baptist's  church,  in  Southover, 

and  collected  for  ye  same  3/3f . 
1714.     Oct.  31. — Read  Bottisham  brief,  loss  by  fire  3659  and  upwards,  and 

collected  for  ye  same  0:0:0!! 

1714.  Nov.  28. — Read  ye  Brief  for   Ruthin  church,  Damage  3128  and 

upwards,  and  collected  for  ye  same  1/3. 

1714  (1715)-     Jan.  9. — Read  ye  brief  for  Torksey  church,  damagd  1182  and 

upwards,  and  collected  for  ye  same  i/9f. 
1714  (1715).     Feb.  20. — Read  ye  Brief  for  all  Saint's  church,  in  Derby, 

Damage  5252  and  upwards,  and  coll.  for  the  same  1/6. 

1714  (1715).     March  20. — Read  ye  brief  for  New  Shoreham  church,  in 

Sussex,  Damage  2203  and  upwards,  and  coll.  for  ye  same  2/1. 

1715.  Apr.  24. — Read  Wm.  Bowyers  brief,  loss  by  fire  5146  and  upwards, 

and  collected  for  ye  same  i/n^. 

1715.  May  22. — Read    Warwick  and  Preston  Baggot  brief,  loss  by  fire 

1162  and  upwards,  and  collected  for  ye  same  i/i^. 
These  six  briefs  following,  viz.  : — 

Cowkeepers,  Drynston,  and  Stunbridge,  Loalford  and  St.  Mary's, 
St.   Giles's,    St.    Peter's,    Betwixt   May    1715    and    November 
following,  and  there  was  collected  for  ye  same  ye  sum  of  17/5^. 
Nov.  20. — John  Avon's  Brief  read,  and  collected  for  ye  same  2/6. 

1715  (I7I6)-     Jan-  !• — For  New  Church,  Sunderland,  was  collected  2/-. 
Feb.  19. — For  Micham  and  Lithwood,  loss  by  fire,  was  collected  ye  sum 

of  3/9- 

1716.  Apr.  8. — For  Walksnith  and  Wrexham,  loss  by  fire,  was  collected 

ye  sum  3/4. 
N.D.     For  Blymhill  church,  collected  i/io^. 


ioo  BRIEFS. 

A.D. 

1717.     Houndsditch  Brief  and  reed  for  it  ,  =  .         23$ 

Feb.  3. — Ottery  St  Mary  in  com  Devon i     y£ 

March  3. — Ridgemont  in  com  Bedford    ...         ...         ...         i     2\ 

April  7. — Ryton       i     6£ 

May  12. — Great  Poland  &  collected  for  ye  same — Donation    14     o 
July  14. — Great  Bodwin     ...          ...         ...          ...         ...          i     5^ 

Sep.  15. — Holthwaite  &  Whittington       22^ 

Oct.  6. — Bonend      ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...          i    10^ 

,,  20. — Oldbury I     9 

In  the  year  1718  the  following  were  read  and  collections  made  for  : — 
Little  St.  Andrew,Wilcot  and  Eusden,  Sheriff  Hales  Andley,  Dolgelly. 

A.D.,  1719.  Hoadington,  Radnor,  Oldwoston,  Bliggwswade,  Deeping 
St.  James,  Hinstock,  Thrapston  Bedford  Row,  Cheltenham, 
Hartlepool,  St.  John  Baptist  Chester. 

A.D.,  1720.  Sheawarine  (?)  church  &  parsonage  house,  Kingswood 
church  in  com  Wilts,  St  Olaves  church  near  York,  Great 
Grimsby,  Ingmanthorpe  &  Norton  under  Cannock,  Parish 
Skool  in  Exon . 

A.D.,  1721.  Louth  &  Newport,  Kimbolton  &  Dissworth,  Kingston 
Tewksbury,  Fills 

A.D.,  1722.  St.  John,  Wapping,  Jonking  Vingod  (?),  Bakswell  church  & 
Steeple,  Upper  Darwin  chappell,  Gratwood  Bilston.  Inunda- 
tion in  Lancashire. 

A.D.,  1723.  Lyons  (at  ye  Holt  church)  Bangor,  Shennington  Heartways 
com  Radnor,  Ruddington,  Hexham  com  Northumberland,  St. 
Albans  Hertford. 

A.D.,  1725.  Markett  Lavington,  East  Morden,  Credition,  Darlaston, 
Crucks  Lade,  Crampshall,  Knighton  Neath  Werksworth. 

A.D.,  1726.  Great  Torrington,  Ormskk,  Wardsley,  Bampton,  Bucking- 
ham, Alderford,  Folkestone,  Abbington. 

A.D.,  1727.     Alcester,  Stamford,  Burton  Joyce. 

Frequent  items  occur  in  the  Parish  accounts  : — 

"  Spent  at  settling  the  Briefs,"  and  "  Spent  at  settling  ye  Briefs 
"  and  other  business  on  ye  Town's  accounts,  o  :   i   :  o." 


CHURCHWARDENS' 
ACCOUNTS. 


THE  PARISH  ACCOUNT  BOOKS. 


HESE  authentic  records  are  most  valuable  to  the  compiler 
of  a  sketch  of  parish  life,  affording  glimpses  of  the  ways 
of  the  world  that  is  gone  ;  interesting  and  amusing,  they 
contain  abundant  and  varied  materials  to  work  upon  ;  they 
form  a  domestic  history  in  the  true  sense  ;  they  include  touches  of  reality, 
pleasant  bits  of  gossip,  depicting  household  sayings  and  doings,  social 
customs,  recording  the  veritable  every-day  life  of  the  people,  their  eating 
and  drinking  (very  much  of  the  latter),  their  religious  observances,  their 
marriages  and  deaths,  their  dress  and  local  resolutions  ;  all  these  have 
floated  down  the  stream  of  time,  bound  up  and  preserved  within  the 
covers  of  these  volumes. 

Our  Parish  Books  date  only  from  1737  ;  any  earlier  ones  I  am  unable 
to  trace,  the  fate  of  which  may  be  conjectured  with  many  other  interesting 
documents  pertaining  to  the  history  of  the  church  and  parish.  However, 
we  must  be  satisfied  with  what  we  possess,  and,  even  from  these,  illustrate 
some  quaint  usages  of  parish  officials,  their  modes  of  spending  money,  and 
the  peculiar  purposes  to  which  it  was  sometimes  applied. 

First  rank 

The    Churchwardens'   Accounts. 

Those  for  the  year  ending  April,  1738,  were  kept  by  Bryan  Wilcock 
and  Henry  Plumbe,  who  received  "one  ley"  of  ^"18  :  o  :  9^,  and  for 
burials  in  the  church,  3/-.  The  first  payment  disbursed  is  very  suggestive. 

Spent    at     Edward    Bickersteth's    when    we    entered 

into  our  office £o     2     o 

H 


io4  CHURCHWARDENS'  ACCOUNTS. 

This  item  increased  as  time  went  on.  In  1741,  it  is  chronicled  as 
"  Spent  with  the  Parishioners  at  Easter,  o  :  5  :  o  "  ;  on  other  occasions, 
"  Spent  as  usual."  This  u  entering  into  office  "  was  called  (in  "  the  good 
old  times,"  as  they  are  usually  termed)  The  Parish  Pudding  Feast.  It 
may  be  as  well  to  mention  here  that,  on  nearly  all  occasions,  grave  or  gay, 
the  wardens  and  all  other  parish  officials — I  presume  under  the  plausible 
pretext  of  studying  the  ratepayers'  interest — were  very  generously 
disposed,  both  to  the  parishioners  and  "  ourselves."  A  variety  of  similar 
extracts  will  be  found,  and  further  comment  will  be  needless. 

1738.  Pd.  to  George  Charles  for  a  Fox  killed  in  Aughton       •••££>     2     6 
Pd.  to  John  Fogg  for  killing  of  a  fox       ...         ...         ...     o     2     o 

Pd.  to  James  Watkinson  for  a  she  ffox o     2     6 

The  premium  paid  for  a  fox's  head,  according  to  Ormskirk  Wardens' 
Accounts,  in  1665,  was  about  one  shilling  ;  we  find  here,  after  a  lapse  of 
70  years,  2/6  paid  ;  now  it  is  estimated  that  every  fox's  head  costs  ^"100 
(to  the  Tynedale  hounds),  and,  like  most  other  things,  have  risen  in  value. 

Spt.  on  ye  Singers  wch  came  from  Asheley  ...  ...  ^*o  2  o 

Spt.  on  ye  Leverpoole  Singers       ...         ...  ...  ...     o  2  o 

Spt.  on  Mr.  Ellison  when  he  preached  here  ...  ...     o  i  o 

For  fetching  wine  and  paying  for  3  loaves  ...  ...     o  o  7 

1739.  Given  to  a  poor  clergyman,  Mr.  Turner  ...         ...         ...     o     i     o 

March    26. — Pd.   to    Mr.   Ollerhead,   his    bill    for    the 

Biercloth            ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  311  9 

Pd.  for  mending  the  old  Biercloth  and  silk  ...  ...  o  o  o 

Pd.  for  two  Foxes 030 

Spt.  on  Mr.  Potts  wn-  he  preached            ...         ...         ...  o     i  o 

Spt.  at  setting  of  the  bone  house  to  be  built      ...         ...  o     i  o 

For  a  day  loading  sand  and  carting  the  earth  out  of  the 

bone  house         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  o     2  6 

Pd.  John  Hulme  for  the  bone  house,  as  by  agreement ...  3  2  6 

Pd.  the  singing  master  for  3  weeks  teaching  ...  ...  I  2  6 


CHURCHWARDENS  ACCOUNTS.  105 

1740.     For  taking  the  great  bell  up  wn-  fallen     ...         ...         ...  £Q     i     o 

For  mending  the  churchyard  gate,  filbows,  and  gudgeons  012 

Spt.  on  taking  the  demensions  of  the  new  church  Gates  006 

Paid  to  Roger  Mawdsley,  as  bill  and  receit          ...         ...  417     4 

Paid  to  Thomas  Sourbutts  for  iron  work  for  new  gates...  o  16     o 
Paid  John  Martin  for  tenting  the  clock  two  years,  as 

appears   ...         ...         ...         ....      ...         ...         ...  o  19     o 

I74I-     Paid  for  a  looking  glass       ...         ...         ...         ...         ...046 

At  viewing  the  church  by  both  Wardens            ...         ...  o     i     o 

Pd.  Mr.  Peter  Aspinwall  for  a  prayer  book         ...         ...  o     o     8 

For  a  Prayer  Book  for  the  Rector            ...         ...         ...  016     o 

For  oile  all  the  year,  Besoms,  &  an  Almanack    ...         ..  o     i     8 

I74I-     Nov.  1 8th. — Given  to  the  Ringers  on  Admiral  Vernon's 

birthday...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...020 

Pd.  the  Clerk's  year's  Sallary        ...         ...         ...         ...  i     5     3 

1742.  Paid  the  Ringers  for  ringing  every  Sabbath,  as  by  agree- 

ment, and  keeping  the  bells  in  repair            ...         ...  2     o     o 

Spent  on  Prescott  Parson  wn  he  preacht ...         ...         ...  o     i     o 

Spent  on  the  5th  of  November     ...         ...         ...         ...  o     6     o 

1743.  Given  Henry  Watkinson  and  his  men  half  a  Dozen  of 

Ale  when  the  cord  was  taken  out  of  the  pullis        ...  o     o     6 

Given  James  Yates  a  quart  of  Ale            ...         ...         ...  o     o     4 

1744-     Spent  at  a  Vestry  concerning  the  Steeple            ...         ...  o     i     o 

Pd.  John  Moffitt  for  pointing  the  Steeple           ...         ...  10  10     o 

Pd.  for  Lime  Whitewashing  the  Church...         ...         ...  o     6     6 

For  a  Form  to  the  School  ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  o    o    4 

For  Tables  and  Forms  for  School...         ...         ...         ...  118     2 

Pd.  for  a  Boss  for  the  pulpit          ..          008 

Spent  on  Halsall  Singers    ...         ...         ...         •••         ...020 

1745-6-     Pd.  for  Ringing  night  and  day  for  good  news  about 

vanguising  the  Rebels  ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  0160 

Given  to  the  Ringing  at  the  victory  over  the  Rebells  at 

Cullodon                                                          026 


106  CHURCHWARDENS  ACCOUNTS. 

These  two  entries  furnish  the  key-note  of  Aughtonian  attachment  to 
the  House  of  Hanover  on  the  occasion  of  the  rising  of  Charles  Edward, 
the  Young  Pretender.  The  Parish  accounts  tell  with  circumstantial  and 
concise  evidence  how  "  Search  was  made  for  the  Town  arms,"  how  "  the' 
"  horses  were  brought  in  for  the  king's  use,"  how  the  village  blacksmith 
(John  Harrocks)  was  paid  a  guinea  for  "  cleaning  the  arms,"  how  John 
Blundell  was  paid  i5/-  for  "  stocking  3  guns,"  and  how  i8/-  was  expended 
on  "  New  Belts  and  Skaberty."  There  was  hurrying  to  and  fro  "  Taking 
a  list  of  the  men  as  was  to  serve,"  and  the  before-mentioned  John 
Harrocks  was  paid  for  "  the  use  of  his  smiddy  to  the  watch,"  who  were 
provided  with  four  new  belts.  On  the  23rd  November,  1745,  the  watch 
was  provided  with  "  30  basketts  of  coles,"  and  on  the  25th,  one  William 
Spooner  was  paid  "  by  the  consent  of  the  inhabitants  for  going  to  bring 
"  acct.  of  ye  Rebels,  and  for  Galloway." 

I  should  like  to  emphasize  these  two  last  dates,  as  they  correspond 
exactly  with  the  near  approach  of  the  Pretender  and  his  Highlanders,  who 
had  left  Carlisle  on  the  2Oth,  proceeding  by  way  of  Kendal  and  Lancaster, 
arriving  at  Preston  on  the  27th,  entering  Wigan  the  next  day,  which  was 
the  nearest  advance  to  Aughton. 

The  Pretender  found  Liverpool  closed  against  him,  that  town  having 
made  vigorous  preparations  against  the  Jacobites,  raising  at  their  own  cost 
a  regiment  of  volunteers,  called  the  "  Liverpool  Blues,"  which  consisted  of 
648  men,  continuing  in  pay  from  October,  1745,  to  I5th  January,  1746. 
Our  records  throw  a  slight  sidelight  on  that  movement,  insomuch  I  find 
one  Robert  Molyneux  receiving  parish  relief  "  when  he  was  with  the 
blues"  (1746).  Another  incident  which  reminds  us  of  this  call  to  arms 
is  to  be  found  in  the  Burial  Registers,  for  we  find  John  Taylor  was  buried 
26th  November,  1745,  who  was  killed  "  by  a  Halbard  by  accidence."  Of 
the  Pretender's  fortunes  it  is  not  here  to  dwell  upon  ;  he  crossed  the 
Mersey  at  Stockport,  and  penetrated  as  far  as  Derby,  but  was  compelled  to 
retreat,  which  culminated  on  the  fatal  heath  of  Culloden,  when  the  bells 
"  rang  day  and  night  for  the  good  news." 


CHURCHWARDENS  ACCOUNTS.  107 

1748.  Spent  upon  the  Parson  of  Maghull          £o>     2     o 

„       Nov.  ye  5th,  as  usual          ...         ...         ...         ...     oio     o 

The  Millers  lay  ungettable...         ...         ...         ...         ...     o    4     7 

1749.  Spent  on  the  Ringers  at  proclaiming  the  peace  ...         ...     o     4     o 

Spent  the  same  day  on  some  of  Parishioners      ...         ...     o     5     o 

1750.  To  leading  13  load  of  stones  from  Aughton  Moss  for  ye 

Dial  088 

Pd.  for  leading  sand  for  Dial          ...         ...         ...         ...     o     i     o 

Pd.  for  leading  a  load  of  stones  from  Church  brow  for  ye 

Dial  004 

Pd.  Henry  Mawdsley,  as  p.  Bill    ...         ...         ...         ...     312     4 

Spent  on  ye  masons  at  viewing  ye  Dial o  i  o 

This  series  of  entries  evidently  points  to  a  re-setting  of  the  sundial, 
which  is  still  such  a  conspicuous  feature  in  our  old  parish  churchyard. 
The  present  pedestal  was  designed  and  erected  in  1877,  at  the  time  of 
the  second  enlargement  of  the  churchyard.  Round  it  are  the  words 
"  The  day  is  Thine,  the  night  also  is  Thine."  The  dial  proper  has  the 

inscription — 

THOS-  PLUMBE  RECTOR 

1736    LAT.  53     35m- 

GEO  HEWITT       HEN  PLUMBE 

CHURCH  WARDENS. 

and  a  modern  rim  encircling  this  ancient  plate  bears  the  motto — 

HORAS   NON  NUMERO   NISI   SERENAS 
(I  only  count  the  sunny  hours). 

Of  other  sundials  in  the  parish,  the  one  standing  in  the  garden  of 
Walsh  Hall  bears  the  name  of  Bryan  Wilcock,  who  was  churchwarden  in 
1738.  A  more  ancient  one,  however,  stands  in  front  of  Island  House, 
dated  1719,  but  it  is  fast  rusting  away. 

1752.     To  Repairing  part  of  the  Little  Chancel  near  the  Bellfry^"o     2   10 
Spent  on  the  Singers  and  the  Dogwhipper         ...         ...     o     2     2 

Pd.  for  a  whip          ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...     o     02^ 


io8  CHURCHWARDENS  ACCOUNTS, 

Several  items  occur  in  the  accounts  relative  to  the  dog-whipper, 
showing  that  this  functionary  was  a  person  of  official  importance,  drawing 
a  yearly  salary  of  IDS.  ;  for,  in  1758  and  consecutive  years,  the  entry 
appears  of  "  Pd.  the  Dog  Whipper,  IDS." 

It  may  not  be  generally  known  to  my  readers  that  the  original 
introduction  of  the  Communion  rails  was  partly  due  to  the  presence  of 
dogs  in  church.  They  were  first  ordered  by  Archbishop  Laud,  with 
express  stipulation  that  the  rails  should  be  close  enough  to  exclude  the 
body  of  a  dog;  and,  in  1636,  Bishop  Wren,  of  Norwich,  issuing  orders 
for  the  performance  of  divine  worship,  directed — 

"  That  the  Rayle  be  made  before  it  reaching  Crosse  from  the  North 
"  Wall  to  the  South  Wall  neere  one  yard  in  height  so  thick 
"  with  pillars  that  dogs  may  not  get  in." 

Apropos  of  dogs  in  church,  I  recently  read  of  an  instrument  which 
was  until  lately  to  be  seen  in  a  Welsh  church,  which  may  best  be 
described  as  a  pair  of  wooden  scissors  with  iron  teeth,  which  was  used  to 
catch  dogs  and  separate  them  when  fighting.  Fortunately,  we  are  not 
exposed  to  such  distractions  now,  and  the  ancient  office  of  dog-whipper 
is  now  extinct.  The  last  survivor  of  this  post  was  attached  to  Exeter 
Cathedral. 

1753.  Pd.  for  a  matt  for  ye  Communicants  to  kneel  on           ...  £o     2  6 
Spent  on  clergment  at  several  times         ...         ...         ...     oio  o 

Given  to  Melling  singers    ...         ...         ...         ...         ...     o     2  o 

1754.  Pd.  Edward  Southwork  for  painting  the  Gallery  window 

and  finding  hair  ...         ...         ...         ...         ...006 

1755.  Pd.  the  clerk  for  drawing  and  painting  the  face  of  the 

clock       ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...026 

1756.  Pd.  Doctor  Plumbe  for  oil  and  varnish  for  the  altar  piece.     040 

From  an  old  minute  book  I  find  under  date  "May  2,  1773  : 
"  at  a  vestry  it  is  agreed  that  Doc.  Plumbe  is  to  be 
"  Surgeon  for  Aughton  poor  for  the  ensuing  year 
"at  2  :  2  :o" 


CHUR  CHWARDENV  AC  CO  UNTS.  1 09 

1756.  Pd.  the  clerk  for  cleaning  oiling  altar  piece         ...         •••  £°     l     ° 

1757.  To  cleaning  the  church  all  the  year          ...         ...         ...026 

1758.  Given  on  the  King  of  Prussia's  Birthday  to  the  Ringers.     054 
Spent  on  Rainford  Singers...         ...         ...         ...         ...     o     i     o 

To  Bringing  church  Ladder  and  bringing  it  back  ...     o     I     o 

1759-     Spent  on  the  Ringers  on  the  taking  of  Cherburg          ...     o     2     6 

Spent  at  the  time  wh  Mr.  Arsnip  took  demensions  to 

to  make  a  casmt  for  the  Pulpit  Window       ...         ...     o     2     o 

The  old  three-decker  pulpit  was  taken  down  July,  1866.  On 
examination,  it  would  appear  that,  though  constructed  of  excellent  oak,  it 
had  once  been  painted  mahogany,  and  afterwards  painted  and  grained  to 
represent  oak  !  The  removal  of  some  of  the  panelling  against  the  wall 
revealed  some  good  ashlar  stone  work. 

1761.  Pd.  Jas.  South  work  for  13^  Ibs.  of  Candles  for  Singers 

since  2  July,  1760         £Q     8  9| 

1762.  To  painting  Boards,  lettering  and  Figuring  Psalm  for  the 

Singers  belonging  to  the  church         ...         ...         ...     o     3     o 

The  singers,  naturally,  occupied  a  place  of  great  importance  in  the 
life  of  a  rural  parish  in  bye-gone  days.  The  existence  of  the  present 
Gallery  in  the  Parish  Church  was  the  outcome  of  a  vestry  meeting. 

1735.  Sep.  17. — It  is  ordered  by  ye  majority  of  a  vestry  for  ye  Parish  of  Aughton. 
that  a  Gallery  be  erected  for  ye  singers  and  yl  their  precent  seats  be  disposed 
of  to  such  persons  that  will  give  ye  best  price  for  them  which  money  shall  be 
applied  toward  defraying  ye  expence  of  ye  sd  Gallery. 

Thos.  Plumbe,  Jno.  Kippax,  and  9  others. 

The  phraseology  of  this  old  minute  tells  in  a  pithy  manner  why  the 
present  western  gallery  was  erected.  Another  minute,  dated  4th  August, 
1771,  tells  us  that  it  was  agreed  that  the  "churchwardens  had  hired  John 
"  Waterworth  as  a  Singing  Master  for  one  Quarter,  to  teach  the  youth  of 
"  this  Parish  to  sing  Psalmody,  but  no  Instruments,  at  £$  io/-  a  Quarter, 
"  two  nights  in  the  week,  viz.,  Saturday  and  Sunday." 


no  CHURCHWARDENS  ACCOUNTS. 

The  remuneration  of  the  singers  was  just  a  trifle  better  than  that  of 
the  dog-whipper  ;  "  Singers'  Salary,  ^i,"  appears  under  date  1787,  but  we 
must  not  forget  numerous  extras  they  enjoyed,  such  as  "  Given  Singers 
when  the  Rector  was  over,  2/6  "  ;  "  Given  to  Singers  in  ale,  2/-  ; "  "  Given 
to  the  Singers  at  Christmas,  io/-."  They  also  partook  of  the  good  cheer 
the  wardens  always  provided  on  entering  into  office.  They  were  in 
demand  at  the  wakes,  which  were  held  on  the  old  green,  at  the  swinging 
sign  of  the  "Ring  o'  Bells,"  which  veritably  stood  under  the  shadow  of 
the  church,  and  the  parish  was  debited  5/-  yearly  for  their  performance 
there.  These  wakes  were  held  the  first  Sunday  after  Michaelmas  Day, 
and  continued  through  the  better  part  of  the  week  following.  It  will  be 
noticed  by  the  number  of  extracts  that  the  church  choir  was  often 
augmented  by  "  Strange  Singers,"  inasmuch  that  the  entertaining  of  these 
became  somewhat  a  burden  on  the  parish,  for  under  date  "  April  i,  1777, 
"  Agreed  nothing  to  be  spent  on  the  5  Nov.  for  the  future,  nor  on  strange 
u  Singers."  But  the  churchwardens  of  subsequent  years  ignored  this 
attempt  at  economy,  and  returned  to  their  usual  generosity,  for  in  1797, 
when  the  Douglas  Singers  came,  a  guinea  was  spent  in  a  dinner,  and  on 
another  occasion,  "  Given  Liverpool  Singers,  £2  2/-." 

The  choir  in  bye-gone  days  would  consist  of  some  half-dozen  men 
and  boys,  assisted  occasionally  by  a  female  voice,  for  which,  however,  an 
extra  fee  was  paid  ;  for  example  (I  am  now  writing  of  about  80  years  ago), 
"  Given  Ellen  Holland,  twice  for  singing,  5/-,"  and  later,  "  Given  Miss 
Monk  for  singing  a  year,  £\  io  -."  This  lady  was  also  regaled  every 
Sunday,  at  the  parish  expense,  at  the  "  Stanley  Arms,"  kept  (1820)  by 
Peter  Rutter,  for  his  bill  "  for  43  Dinners  to  Ann  Monk  the  Singer,  28/-" 
is  recorded  in  the  accounts.  One  other  refresher  the  singers  annually 
partook  of,  was  the  proverbial  "  Cakes  and  Ale,"  on  Braggart  Sunday, 
consisting  of  a  pint  of  mulled  ale  and  a  bun  apiece — of  course,  at  the  parish 
expense.  Braggart,  or  Mid-Lent  Sunday,  is  better  known  in  our  modern 
times  as  "  Simnel  Sunday,"  and  the  cakes  bearing  that  name  will,  I 
imagine,  contrast  favourably  with  the  buns  to  which  our  singers  were 
treated. 


CHURCHWARDENS  ACCOUNTS.  in 

Whilst  on  the  subject  of  church  music,  we  must  not  forget  the 
instrumental  portion  of  the  service  ;  various  items  in  the  wardens' 
accounts  tell  us  that  a  Mr.  Collins  had  (1800)  "A  new  Bassoon,"  costing 
_^*5  5/-,  and  that  "  Reeds  all  the  year  "  for  same  came  to  4/-.  "A  Hautboy" 
cost  5/-  ;  £Af  for  "  a  new  Bass  Vial  "  ;  25/-  "  for  a  claranet  "  ;  and,  I  should 
presume,  there  must  have  been  a  tenor  violin.  Other  entries  show 
expenditure  on  "  James  Pye  for  writing  anthems"  (1792),  and  on  other 
occasions  "  for  playing  music."  The  instruments  must  have  been  kept  by 
their  respective  players,  for  in  an  inventory  of  church  goods,  taken  about 
1790,  none  of  them  appear — although  a  "pitch  pipe  for  the  singers"  is 
mentioned,  as  well  as  "  20  Boards  figured  for  singers."  These  instru- 
ments, of  course,  will  be  remembered  by  the  older  parishioners,  as  the 
organ  was  only  opened  in  1858  ;  but  the  days  of  the  big  fiddle  and 
the  mixed  band  are  over,  and  we  have  the  music  and  the  choir  back 
again  somewhat  in  the  old  locality. 

1767.  Pd.  for  a  Communion  Table  clock  ...         ...         •••^~o  12     o 

1768.  To  taking  the  names  of  Papists     ...         ...         ...         ...     o    4     o 

1771.     To  Edwd.  Southwell,  for  Ringing  the  8  and  one  a  clock 

Bell  all  the  year  ...         ...         ...         ...         ...     o     5     o 

Dr.  Rock,  in  "  Church  of  our  Fathers,"  says  : — 

"  The  bell,  which  is  still  rung  in  some  parishes  in  the  morning  and  at  noon — though 
"  its  origin  is  forgotten,  and  now  only  serves  to  summon  the  labourers  to  and 
"  from  their  work — is,  in  reality,  a  relic  of  the  Angelus,  or  mid-day  bell." 

The  popular  explanation  for  tolling  the  church  bell  on  Sunday  morn- 
ing and  afternoon,  is  that  it  was  intended  to  inform  the  parishioners  that 
service  would  be  held  as  usual  ;  for  in  bye-gone  days,  the  Rector  was 
non-resident,  and  the  services  performed  by  sundry  and  several  ministers. 
The  accounts  amply  testify  to  this  fact,  for  they  simply  teem  with 
entries  : — 

"  Spent  when  Mr.  (So-and-so)  preached." 
I  understand  this  custom  has  only  been  discontinued  a  very  few  years. 


112  CHURCHWARDENS  ACCOUNTS. 


1774.     Pd.  the  clerk  for  bringing  the  children  to  Liverpool  to 

be  confirmed  and  Horse  hire  and  loss  of  time          •••£°     4     ° 

A  confirmation  took  place  at  Aughton,  during  the  episcopacy  of 
Bishop  Law,  of  Chester,  in  1812.  From  that  time  we  do  not  know  of  any 
until  one  held  by  the  Bishop  of  Liverpool,  8th  Nov.,  1886. 

1776.  Haddon  Smith,  Curate. 

1777.  To  Dinners  on  Good  Friday  and  Easter  Sunday,  on  the 

clergy,  ourselves,  and  clerk,  and  liquor         £o     3     o 

Pd.  on  Easter  Tuesday,  for  4  dinners  and  ale     ...         ...     o     2     6 

G.  Monk,  Curate. 

Spent  on  Whiten  Sunday  at  Sacramt.  for  Dinners  and 

Drink      ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...     o     3     o 

A  fair  sample  how  the  money  went  in  the  good  old  days  ;  these  items 
are  doubled  some  10  years  later. 

1783.     Expence  going  out  of  office  ...         ...         ...         ...  £o  15     6 

1787.     Bill   for   painting   Board,    Recognising   the   Rev.    Geo. 

Vanbrugh  as  Rector     ...         ...         ...         ...         ...     i     o  8£ 

There  are  six  of  these  Boards  in  the  church,  Rector  Boulton  being 
the  last  so  recognised.  For  some  reason,  Rector  Hindley  (1713)  has  a 
recognition  stone  in  the  floor  of  Plumbe  Chapel,  as  well  as  having  his 
name  displayed  in  the  church. 

1787.     Beadle's  Wig  £o  12     o 

Thomas  Mercer,  Beadle,  a  new  Hat          ...         ...         ...     o     3     o 

Do.,  Salary      ...         ...         ...         ...         ...     015     6 

An  Umbrella  for  Minister  ...         ...         ...         ...         ...     o  14     o 

A  New  Surplice,  14^  cloth,  and  Making  ...          2   15     o 

These  entries,  just  on  the  succession  of  Mr.  Vanbrugh  to  the  Rectorship, 
point  to  a  polishing  up  of  Rector  and  officials.  The  umbrella  must  have 
been  somewhat  of  a  curiosity  in  quiet  Aughton  in  those  days  \  it  was 


CHURCHWARDENS  ACCOUNTS.  113 

only  in  1780  that  they  were  first  introduced  into  Edinburgh,  and 
Boardman,  in  his  "Liverpool  Table  Talk  a  hundred  years  ago,"  speaking 
of  the  first  Liverpool  Directory,  1766,  says:  "Umbrellas  had  not  been 
introduced."  This  one  figures  in  the  church  inventory  of  1787. 

1789.     John  Heathcote,  for  an  oaken  chest          ...         ...         --£2     5     ° 

The  present  parish  chest,  which  is  still  in  the  church 

A   Bill    for    Candles    when    the    illumination    at    the 

Restoration   of    the   King      ...         ...         ...         ...     012     6 

This  was  on  the  occasion  of  George  III.'s  recovery  from  temporary 
derangement.  The  constables  had  a  far  heavier  bill  to  meet  (^"2  195.  6d.) 
for  the  same  event.  Would  theirs  be  the  refreshment  department  ? 

1793.     Received  from  Thos:  Plumbe,  Esq.,  for  rep?<  his  part  of 

the  chancel        ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  £Q 

Received  from  Charles  Stanley,  Esq.,  do.         ...     o 

Received  from  Walsh  Hall,  do.         ...     o     17^ 

Received  from  Mary  Mercer,  do.         ...     o     i     6 

Paid  for  3^  Thraves  Straw  for  stuffing     ...         ...         ...     o     7     o 

A  later  entry  informs  us  the  straw  was  used  for  "filling  up  beams." 
The  chancel  underwent  considerable  repair  again  in  1803,  the  expenses 
coming  to  £  1 2  123. 

1797-     To  cash,  half-a-year's  rent  for  three  Pews  or  seats  on  the 

North  side  of  the  Gallery,  Received £\     2     3 

In  the  parish  chest  are  still  preserved  3  agreements,  dated  2nd  Feb., 
1797,  to  lease  these  3  pews,  denominated  the  front,  middle,  and  back  pews, 
for  a  term  of  3  years,  to  John  Platt,  James  Moorcroft,  and  Richard 
Shaclady,  at  the  respective  rents  of  2i/-,  I3/-,  and  10/6  per  year. 

l800.     Exps.  on  the  Parish01"5  when  they  attended  against  Mr. 

Walker  erecting  a  seat  ...         ...         ...         •••£°     l     ° 

There  is  a  minute  of  7th  Sep.,  1800,  in  which  25  parishioners  sign, 
opposing  the  application  for  a  faculty  to  Thomas  Walker  to  erect  a  pew. 


ii4  CHURCHWARDENS'  ACCOUNTS. 

1803.     A  pully  for  the  font £o     i     o 

A  writer,  in  1826,  in  "  The  Liverpool  Repository,"  says  : — 

"  There  is  an  antique  stone  font,  of  an  octangular  form,  embattled,  sustained  by 
"  a  shaft  composed  of  four  circular  pillars,  attached  on  a  circular  base." 

It  seemingly  was  discarded  for  many  years,  and  lay  as  lumber  in  a  corner 
of  the  church.  It  was,  however,  restored  in  1886,  the  work  being  executed 
by  Mr.  Peter  Wright,  mason  of  Aughton,  under  the  direction  of 
Mr.  J.  M.  Hay,  architect,  Liverpool.  (See  chapter  on  Architecture). 

1807.  John  Howard's  Bill  for  repairing  the  church  and  steeple ^38  15     3 

1808.  Given  92  children  who  said  the  Catechism          ...         ...     o  15     4 

1812.  A  cast-iron  pillar  under  the  Gallery         i     7     2 

1813.  2  White  Bears,  44  Ibs.,  @  8d 194 

To  the  uninitiated  reader,  "  bears,"  in  the  Lancashire  dialect,  are 
simply  door  mats.  Another  item,  a  foot-bear  and  a  fender  are  combined. 

1819.  Chas.  Balshaw's  Bill  for  repg.  Bells         ^"73     o    o 

"  4  May,  1818.  Resolved  that  the  present  4  Bells  to 
"  be  put  into  a  new  frame,  with  iron  stays  for  the 
"  wheels,  and  Mr.  Charles  Balshaw,  of  Ormskirk, 
"  to  agree,  &c.,  &c.,  to  do  it  for  ^"73." 

The  bells  date  from  1715,  in  which  year  they  must  have  been  cast  ; 
two  of  them  bear  the  names  of  the  churchwardens  for  that  year,  Robert 
Taylor  and  John  Valentine ;  the  tenor  bell  that  of  "  Robert  Hindley, 
Rector,  1715." 

1820.  Lost  by  Geo.  Green  a  pound  note  £\     o    o 

1822.     Paid  Glazier  allowance  when  the  church  was  broke  into     038 

I  am  informed  that  the  thief  made  merry  with  the  Communion  wine, 
of  which  there  was  goodly  store  (two  gallons  of  red  port  wine  had  very 
recently  been  paid  for).     The  church  was  again  broken  into  in  1833  and 
in  1852. 
1831.     Ringers  at  the  Death  of  King  Geo.  4,  and  Tolling       ...  £o    8     o 


CHURCHWARDENS'1  ACCOUNTS.  115 

A    List   of  Churchwardens    Elected   for   the 
Parish    Church. 

1552.  Richard  Starkee,  Ric:  Letherbarrow. 

1606-  John  Longley,  James  Woolsey  or  Woosey. 

1670.  Thos.  Ashhurst,  Peter  Goldborn. 

1671.  R.  Letherbarrow,  little  hall  ;   John  Letherbarrow. 

1672.  Roger  Barton,  Cuthbt.  Watkinson. 

1673.  Thos.  Bicursteth,  Wm.  Taylor. 

1674.  Ricd.  Kidd,  Edward  Parker. 

1675.  Thomas  Harker,  Henry  Latham. 

1676.  John  Kingsley,  Ed.  Haile,  of  hole. 

1677.  Richd.  Hodgkinson,  Jonathan  Pye. 

1678.  James  Charles  p  Rob.  Hesketh,  John  Underwood. 

1679.  James  Blackledge,  Thos.  Harrocks. 

1680.  Wm.  Ashcroft,  Jon.  Cropper. 

1681.  Peter  Woosey,  John  Sumner. 

1682.  Thomas  Moorecroft,  Jon.  Whitehead. 

1683.  John  Walsh,  Rob.  Wilson. 

1684.  James  Harrocks,  Jr.,  R.  Ambrose. 

1685.  Thomas  Robinson,  Peter  Norris. 

1686.  James  Barton,  Roger  Pye,  Holinhurst. 

1687.  Edward  Haile,  of  SamlL,  William  Pye. 

1688.  Robt.  Letherbarrow,  James  Bastwell. 

1689.  Thomas  Walsh,  Jr.,  Thos.  Langley. 

1690.  R.  Molyneux,  Sen.,  R.  Taylor. 

1691.  Rich.  Culshaw,  R.  Taylor. 

1692.  Henry  Barker,  John  Guy. 

1693.  Ashhurst,  James  Harrocks,  Jr. 

1694.  John  Valentine,  Mr.  Jameson,  Lower  House. 

1695.  Rich.  Gouldborn,  Thos.  Spencer. 

1696.  Roger  Barton,  Gilbt.  Woosey. 

1697.  Moorecrofts,  of  hills,  Wm.  Hailwood. 

1698.  Thos.  Barton,  Cuth.  Watkinson. 


ii6  CHURCHWARDENS  ACCOUNTS. 

1699.  R.  Wolfall,  Cockbeck,  R.  Letherbarrow. 

1700.  William  Taylor,  James  Chaddock. 

1701.  John  Pye,  Junr.,  Highland  House, Crombleholm,  @  Aspinalls. 

1702.  Rich.  Watkinson,  W.  Woosey. 

1703.  Thomas  Hail, 

James  Tyrer  did  not  serve. 

1704  Roger  Harrocks,  Mr.  Crossley. 

1705.  Henry  Aspinwall  for  Sumner,  Richd.  Culshaw  for  Wanonge. 

1706.  Thos.  Barton,  Junr.,  R.  Molyneux. 

1707.  Rich.  Latham,  John  Pye,  Holinhurst. 

1708.  Richd.  Watkinson,  E.  Haile,  of  Samli. 

1709.  Christ.  Ince,  Gent.,  Wm.  Woosey. 

1710.  Thos.  Bicersteth,  Gent.,  Thos.  Barton. 

1711.  Ed.  Barton,  Henry  Watkinson. 

1712.  E.  Aspinwall  &  Dr.  Walshe,  Danll.  Harrocks. 

1713.  Rob.  Taylor,  Rob.  Molyneux. 

1714.  Roger  Harrock,  J.  Taylor  for  Mr.  Sudell. 

1715.  Rob.  Taylor,  John  Valentine. 

1716.  Mr.  Bickersteth,  Ricd.  Ashcroft. 
I7I7-  Thos.  Langley,  Wm.  Barker. 

1718.  Thomas  Aspinwall,  Thomas  Taylor. 

1719.  Rob.  Taylor,  Peter  Woosey. 

1720.  R.  Goulbourn,  Wm.  Taylor. 

1721.  John  Pye,  Jr.,  James  Taylor. 

1722.  James  Taylor  for  Mr.  Ince,  Mr.  Aspinwall. 

1723.  Ed.  Barton,  Wm.  Ashcroft. 

1724.  Mr.  Johnson,  Rob.  Taylor. 

1725.  Rob.  Wilson,  Peter  Woosey. 

1726.  R.  Culshaw,  H.  Watkinson. 
1727-  G.  Woosey,  Thomas  Spencer. 

1728.  George  Charles,  Sam.  Bickersteth. 

1729.  Jno.  Richardson,  R.  Sephton. 

1730.  James  Ashcroft,  Henry  Plumbe. 


CHURCHWARDENS  ACCOUNTS.  117 

1731.  Thos.  Taylor,  John  Goorsmith. 

1732.  R.  Bickersteth,  John  Underwood. 

1733.  James  Watkinson,  Roger  Meadow. 

1734.  Rich,  fformby,  James  Culshaw. 

1735.  John  Charles  for  Rob.  Wilson,  George  Hewitt. 

1736.  Geo.  Hewitt,  Henry  Plumbe. 

1737.  Mr.  Wilcock,  do. 

1738.  Bryan,  do.,     Thos.  Taylor. 

1739.  John  Goor,  do. 

1740.  Do.,  Wm.  Aspinwall. 

1741.  Thos.  Harrocks,         do. 

1742.  Henry  Aspinwall,      do. 

1743.  Do.  do. 

1744.  Thos.  Cross,  do. 

1745.  Ed.  Winstanley,        do. 

1746.  Mr.  Plumbe,  do. 

1747.  John  Underwood,      do. 

1748.  Joseph  Matthews,      do. 

1749.  Wm.  Parr,  do. 

1750.  Jas.   Ashcroft,  do. 

1751.  Henry  Plumbe,         do. 

1752.  Ricd.  Moorecroft,       do. 
1753-  John  Harrocks,          do. 

1754.  John  Webster,  do. 

1755.  Thos.  Cross,  Thos.  Atkinson. 

1756.  Henry  Plumbe,  Mr.  Atherton. 
I757-  Wm.  Aspinwall,  James  Pye. 

1758.  Do.  Doctor  Plumbe. 

1759.  Do.  Rich.  Taylor. 

1760.  Do.  Richd.  Mullineux. 

1761.  Do.  John  Moorecroft. 

1762.  Do.  Richd.  Parr. 

1763.  Do.  Jas.  Fazakerley. 


n8  CHURCHWARDENS  ACCOUNTS. 

1764.  Richard  Moorcroft,  Henry  Underwood. 

1765.  No  Record. 

1766.  Thomas  Culshaw,  James  Pye. 

1767-  William  Aspinwall,  Peter  Watkinson. 

1768.  Do.  Richd.  Brighouse. 

1769.  Jno.  Harrocks,  do. 

1770.  Thomas  Harrocks,  do. 
I771-  James  Ashcroft,  Henry  Underwood. 
1772.  Wm.  Aspinwall,  Richard  Parr. 
I773-  Thomas  Maddock,  James  Culshaw. 
1774.  No  Record. 

I775-  John  Ashcroft,  Jas.  Fazackerley. 

1776.  Richard  Parr,  James  Culshaw. 

1777-  James  Glover,  Thos.  Harrocks. 

1778-  John  Southworth,  John  Ashcroft. 

1779-  Francis  Jibb,  John  Underwood. 

1780.  Wm.  Winstanley,  Thos.  Harrocks. 

1781.  James  Culshaw,  do. 

1782.  Michael  Heathcoat,  Richd.  Watkinson. 

1783.  Do.  do. 

1784.  Do.  Richd.  Brownbill. 

1785.  Do.  do. 

1786.  Do.  do. 

1787.  Do.  do. 

1788.  Do.  John  Allin. 

1789.  Do.  do. 

1790.  Do.  Henry  Underwood. 

1791.  Do.  James  Pye. 

1792.  Do.  Richd.  Parr. 

1793.  Do.  Peter  Guy. 

1794.  Do.     .  Do. 

1795.  Wm.  Platt,  John  Shacklady. 

1796.  Do.  do. 


CHURCHWARDENS?  ACCOUNTS.  119 

1797.  Michael  Heathcote,  John  Winstanley. 

1798.  Peter  Guy,  do. 
1799-  John  Ashcroft,  James  Moorcroft. 

1800.  Do.  do. 

1801.  Thomas  Hulme,  John  Brighouse. 

1802.  Wm.  Platt,  John  Shakledy. 

1803.  Do.  do. 

1804.  Peter  Guy,  Thos.  Barton. 

1805.  DO-  do. 

1806.  John  Ashcroft,  Thomas  Prescott. 

1807.  Do.  do. 

1808.  Peter  Guy,  Maximilian  Pimbley. 

1809.  Do.  do. 

1810.  John  Ashcroft,  John  Allin. 

1811.  Do.  do. 

1812.  Peter  Guy,  Thomas  Sutton. 

1813.  Do.  do. 

1814.  John  Ashcroft,         do. 

1815.  Do.  do. 

1816.  Do.  do. 

1817.  William  Parr,  John  Allin. 

1818.  Do.  do. 

1819.  Wm.  Culshaw,  do. 

1820.  Do.  do. 

1821.  Thomas  Sutton,  John  Hodge. 

1822.  Do.  do. 

1823.  Do.  do. 

1824.  Wm.  Parr,  Peter  Harrock. 

1825.  Do.  do. 

1826.  Thomas  Sutton,       do. 

1827.  John  Pilkington,      do. 

1828.  Do.  do. 

1829.  Do.  do. 


120  CHURCHWARDENS  ACCOUNTS. 


1830. 

John  Pilkington, 

Peter  Harrock. 

1831. 

Do. 

do. 

1832. 

William  Culshaw 

,  William  Harrison. 

1833- 

Do. 

do. 

1834. 

Do. 

do. 

1835- 

Do. 

do. 

1836. 

John  Hodge,  William  Cropper. 

1837- 

Thomas  Guy, 

do. 

1838. 

Do.           Edward  Tinsley. 

1839- 

Do. 

do. 

1840. 

Henry  Aspinwall, 

James  Grayston. 

1841. 

Do. 

do. 

1842. 

Do. 

John  Prescott. 

1843. 

Do. 

do. 

1844. 

Do. 

do. 

1845. 

John  Sephton, 

do. 

1846. 

Do. 

do. 

1847. 

John  Freeman,  John  Moorcroft. 

1848. 

Do. 

do. 

1849. 

Michael  Ashcroft, 

do. 

1850. 

Do. 

do. 

1851. 

Do. 

James  Hodge. 

1852. 

Thomas  Draper, 

do. 

1853- 

Do. 

do. 

1854. 

Do. 

do. 

1855- 

Do. 

do. 

1856. 

Do. 

do. 

1857. 

Do.           John  Harrison. 

1858. 

Do. 

do. 

1859- 

Do. 

do. 

i860. 

Do.           William  Pilkington. 

1861. 

James  B.  Walthew,          do. 

1862. 

Do. 

do. 

CHURCHWARDENS  ACCOUNTS. 


121 


1863.     Richard  Rawsthorne,  William  Pilkington. 

1864.                  Do. 

do. 

1865.                  Do. 

do. 

1866.                  Do. 

do. 

1867.                  Do. 

William  Prescott. 

1868.                  Do. 

do. 

1869.                  Do. 

do. 

1870.     John  Harrison,  Edmund  Balmer. 

1871.              Do. 

do. 

1872.     William  Walthew 

,  William  Forshaw. 

1873.                 Do. 

do. 

1874.                 Do. 

do. 

1875.                Do. 

do. 

1876.                Do. 

Edgar   Musgrove. 

1877.     Thomas  Harrison, 

do. 

1878.                 Do. 

do. 

1879.                 Do. 

do. 

1880.                 Do. 

do. 

1881.                Do. 

do. 

1882.                Do. 

do. 

1883.     J.  S.  Fairclough, 

William  Harrison. 

1884.     Henry  Underwood,              do. 

1885.                 Do. 

Joseph  Balmer. 

1886.                 Do. 

James  Sephton. 

1887.     W.  G.  Taylor, 

do. 

1888.               Do. 

do. 

1889.               Do. 

do. 

1890.               Do. 

do. 

1891.               Do. 

do. 

1892.               Do. 

do. 

1893.               Do. 

J.  O.  Peet. 

OVERSEERS'    ACCOUNTS. 


OVERSEERS'    ACCOUNTS. 


Curiosities  of  Local   Government  100  Years  ago. 

CENTURY  ago,  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor  had  sundry 
and  divers  tasks  to  perform  ;  some  grave,  some  gay — from 
assisting  at  christenings  to  attending  funerals  ;  and  let  us 
not  forget  the  many  matrimonial  matches  they  "  made  up." 
In  these  latter,  it  is  quite  possible  that  they  studied  the  moral  welfare  of 
the  Parish,  so  as  to  rid  it  of  a  pauper  or  two  ;  but,  in  many  cases,  to 
legitimise  the  children.  In  their  eager  desire  to  unite  couples  in  the  holy 
bond  of  matrimony,  a  marriage  license  was  often  indulged  in,  besides  other 
"  extras  " — always,  of  course,  at  the  charge  of  the  long-suffering  ratepayer. 

One  of  these  weddings  (1758)  will  suffice  to  enlighten  us  how  the 
money  went ;  it  cost  ^"4  i6s.  6d.,  which  included  a  dowry  of  IDS.,  to  start 
the  world  with.  I  may  say,  by  way  of  parenthesis,  that  the  poor  rate,  or 
ley,  in  this  particular  year,  amounted  to  ^"158  is.  gd. 

1758.     To   expenses  when   the    officer  of  Tarleton  brought  a 
woman  by  an  order  and  when  the  Filiation  warrant 

was  got  ...          £Q  i  o 

Pd.  to  a  Guide  to  take  the  Reputed  Father        ...         ...  o  2  o 

To  expenses  all  night  at  Tarleton  concerning  him,  in 

Meat,  Drink,  Lodgings,  and  Attendance       o  8  o 

Pd.  to  the  overseer  of  Tarleton  by  Mr.  Plumb's  order  ...  o  5  o 

To  my  own  trouble  and  horse       ...         ...         ...         ...  o  5  o 

To  Drink  all  night  with  the  tenters  on  Sunday  night,  at 

Aughton...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  o  6  o 

To  Expenses  all  day  on  Monday  with  Do.           ...         ...  o  5  o 

To         Do.     all  night         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  o  5  6 


126  OVERSEERS  ACCOUNTS. 

To  Victuals  all  the  time     ...         ...  ...  ...  •••  £®     6  o 

Pd.  for  a  License      ...         ...         ...  ...  ...  ...  iioo 

Spent  at  Ormskirk  at  the  same  time  ...  ...  ...  o     i  o 

Spent  on  Tuesday  Morning  before  we  went  to  Meols    ...  o     i  o 

Pd.  for  the  Marriage            ...         ...  ...  ...  ...  o     6  o 

To  charges  at  Meols            ...         ...  ...  ...  ...  o     5  o 

To  Cash  after  the  Marriage            ...  ...  ...  ...  oio  o 

This,  however,  was  not  the  only  wedding  that  year,  for  other  items 
record  the  marriage  of  Thomas  Moore  and  Ann  Wassel.  The  refreshment 
bill  in  this  case  was  heavier,  and  the  bridegroom  seems  to  have  been 
rebellious  to  the  Overseers'  wishes  for  his  happiness,  for  we  find — 

To  expences  at  Aughton  wn.  Th.  Moore  was  prisoner  . . .  £o  1 1     6 

and  still  another  wedding  was  evidently  on  the  tapis  for  the  following 
year — 

Spent  making  up  Waddington's  wedding  ...         •••£°     J     ° 

but  no  further  allusion  being  made  in  the  accounts,  it  must  not  have  been 
satisfactorily  "  made  up." 

The  expenditure  on  a  christening  (1761)  was  more  limited  in  amount, 
the  details  being  told  in  a  very  plain,  unvarnished  manner.  The  total 
cost,  22s.  7^d.,  including  such  items  as — "  To  churching  "  ;  "  Pd.  to  Thos. 
Atkinson  for  going  to  Crosby  concerning  the  man  "  ;  "  To  ale  to  the 
Gossips  at  the  christening  "  ;  and,  finally, 

"  Pd.  to  Stockton  to  sett  her  up  in  house  in  Aintry." 

According  to  Webster,  gossip  is  defined  as  "  idle  talk  "  ;  let  it  not  be 
insinuated  for  one  moment  that  this  meaning  could  apply  here,  whatever 
grounds  there  may  have  been  for  a  whisper  or  so  ;  nor  do  I  say  there  were 
not  some  talkative  dames  in  our  parish  in  time  of  yore,  for  it  was  found 
necessary  to  repair  the  ducking-stool  some  twenty  years  before  this  date. 
Rather  must  we  charitably  render  "gossip  "  in  the  obselete  form  from  the 
Saxon  godsible,  a  sponsor.  The  word  "  sib  "  is  still  in  use  in  this  part  of 
the  country,  being  a  term  meaning  alliance  or  relationship. 


OVERSEERS'  ACCOUNTS.  127 

Death  is  always  a  solemn  subject  to  approach  ;  but  the  Overseers' 
Accounts  show  up  in  rather  a  gruesome  manner  the  necessary  associations 
connected  with  it.  For  the  sick  poor,  wine  was  willingly  paid  for,  such 
entries  as  the  following  frequently  occurring — 

Pd.  for  Sack  for  ye  poor  at  the  workhouse  in  their  illness £o     i     o 
Pd.  for  a  pint  of  birch  wine  for  the  woman  sick  at  Clerks     o     o  10 

Besides  tobacco  for  the  old  men,  a  comprehensive  charge  of  45. — "  Pd.  for 
"  Tobacco  for  Ann  Barton,  a  handkerchief,  a  pair  of  stockings,  and  sugar 
"  candy  " — would  show  the  poor  had  several  luxuries  doled  out  to  them — 
in  fact,  this  particular  old  woman  was  allowed  a  weekly  supply  of  the 
soothing  weed. 

Examples  of  funeral  expenses  will  tell  their  own  tale. 

1739-     Pd.  to  Thomas   Carter  for  a   coffin  for   Jane  Walton's 

daughter  ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  £o  6  o 

,,    for  bread  for  her  funeral          ...         ...         ...         ...     o  5  o 

,,    to  Charles  Clayton  for  drink  at  her  funeral ...         ...     o  5  6 

,,    the  church  dues  and  spent      ...         ...         ...         ...     o  3  3 

1740.     Pd.  for  laying  Margaret  Spencer  straight  when  dead     ...     o     i     o 

I74I-     May  2. — Pd.  the  clerk's  dues  and  drink  ..  ...         ...     o     3     o 

This  sounds  as  though  he  had  more  than  his  due. 

1745.     Aug.  30. — In  ale  at  the  Funeral  of  Wm.  Cadick  ...  o  7  o 

Pd.  church  dues       ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  ...  o  3  i 

„    for  bread            ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  ...  o  3  o 

,,    for  a  shroud      ...         ...         ...          •••         ...  ...  o  i  8 

I752-     Sep.  n. — Spent   with   Mr.    Aspinwall   how   we   should 

bury  Elizabeth  Taylor...          ...          ...          ...  ...  o  o  7 

Pd.  for  striping  ye  corps,  of  Do.    ...          ...          ...  ...  o  I  o 

1757-     Pd.  for  a  coffin  for  Forshaw's  wife,  church  dues,  and  ale  o  9  i 

Before  leaving  these  accounts,  a  few  other  extracts  may  prove 
interesting  and  amusing,  showing  the  duties  which  devolved  upon  our 
overseers. 


128  OVERSEERS'  ACCOUNTS. 


1738.     Pd.  for  2  new  bratts,  inch  thread,  &c £Q     I     6 

Constant  entries  appear  for  articles  of  clothing  supplied  to  the  poor 
of  the  parish,  often  displaying  the  use  of  obsolete  words.  A  child's  brat 
is  a  common  Lancashire  phrase  for  the  pinafore.  Duding  strings  will,  I 
imagine,  be  the  same  as  leading  strings,  of  which  the  present  toy  reins 
may  be  an  outcome.  A  Muckindalf  was  a  pocket  handkerchief,  which 
article  was  also  designated  a  Muckender  in  Dorsetshire,  the  word  originally 
coming  from  the  French  Mouchoir.  A  Barmskin  is  provided  to  one  Geo. 
Cropper.  This  was  an  apron  made  of  leather.  In  Chaucer's  "  The 
Miller's  Tale  "  two  lines  occur  : — 

'•  Thus  day  by  day  this  childe  began  to  cry, 
Till  in  its  fadre's  barm  adoun  it  lay." 

The  word  here  used  is  the  Anglo-Saxon  for  "bosom"  ;  and  barm 
cloth  is  still  current  in  Lancashire — meaning  a  bosom  cloth  or  apron.  . 

Of  other  extracts  concerning  wearing  apparel,  the  following  are  easily 
understood,  but  quaintly  expressed  : 

Pd.  for  a  new  pair  of  bodices  and  a  stomacher    ...         •••£&     3     o 
Pd.  for  2  new  Shifts  for  Thomas  Balshaw  ...         ...     o     2     6 

Pd.  for  a  pair  of  Stays,  making  cloths  for  the  Doctor's 

girl,  and  a  waistcoat      ...         ...         ...         ...         ...     o     3     6 

Speaking  about  stays,  on  another  occasion,  imagine  a  full  vestry  (held 
6th  Sep.,  1772)  deliberating  whether,  and  did  agree  "  that  Kirby's  Girl  is 
to  have  a  pair  of  Stays  "  !  another  time  it  is  recorded  "  pd.  for  covering 
Anne  So  and  So's  stays  and  being  short  of  stuff."  The  reader  must 
understand  the  "  Taylor  "  had  all  these  delicate  tasks  to  undertake  in 
bye-gone  days. 

1740.  Pd.  to  Thomas  Roberts  I5/-  for  pocket  money.     Sent  to 

London  on  his  account  i  pound,  for  apparel  suitable 

for  his  Journey  and  given  to  his  wife  ...         --£4    4     7 

1741.  For  2  wheels  for  Alice  Fairclough  and  repairing  a  reel 

and  mending  a  pair  of  cards    ...         ...         ...         ...052 


OVERSEERS1  ACCOUNTS.  129 

1742.     Paid  Doctor  Davies  who  pretended  to  cure  Thos.  Roberts £\     i     o 

For  explanation  of  this  curious  entry,  the  following  minute  records  : — 
"  1741-  July  19. — It  is  ordered  by  the  majority  of  votes  held  at  a  vestry,  that 
"  if  Doctor  Wm.  Davies  of  Ince  Blundell  make  a  perfect  cure  of  the  Distemper  that 
"  Thomas  Roberts  has  upon  him,  shall  receive  for  the  same  the  summe  of  two  pounds 
"  for  the  performance  of  the  same  and  is  to  be  allowed  a  Guiney  to'ards  the  buying  of 
"  some  necessary  things  at  present." 

1743-  Pd.  postage  into  Somersetshire  to  the  Minister  who  is 

said  to  marry  Rob.  Molyneux  ...         ...         ... ^~o     o     9 

Pd.  Rob.  Molyneux's  wife  to  pay  for  button  moulds,  she 

being  a  button  maker  ...         ...         ...         ...         ...     o     2     o 

1744-  May  30. — To  Jane  Barton  cash  to  go  out  of  the  Work- 

house     ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  o     5     o 

1745.     Aug.  2. — Pd.  for  Jas.  Yates  coals  at  the  pit,  17  Baskits  2^d.  036^ 

1750-  Pd.  for  a  letter  from  Cheshire        ...         ...         ...         ...  o     o     5 

1751-  July  28. — Pd.  for  30  Baskets  of  coals       ...         ...         ...  o  10     o 

I753-     Pd.  for  Tobacco  for  Ann  Barton,  a  handkerchief,  a  pair 

of  stockings,  and  sugar  candy              ...         ...         ...  o  4  Q\ 

1754.     To  a  Warrant  ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         .  040 

To  the  Shot  in  the  Alehouse         ...         ...         ...         ...  o  2     o 

1757.  To  keeping  a  poor  lad  from  Wiggan        ...         ...         ...  o  2     o 

Given  to  him  in  his  pocket  wh.  I  turned  him  out          ...  o  o     6 

1758.  To  conveying  a  lunatic  woman  to  Maghull  who  lay  in 

Maudsley's  swine  coat  all  night  and  cash  to  get  quit 

of  her       ...          ...          ...          ...          ...          ...          ...     o     i     o 

To  Shifting  Halewood's  wife  to  town  with  two  carts     ...     o     3     o 
1761.     To  a  cotton  wheel  and  spindle       ...          ...          ...          ...     o     24^ 

1764.     Pd.  for  a  Quart  of  Birch  Wine      ...         ...         ...         ...     o     i     o 

1772.     To  Eliz.  Halton  for  the  Cure  of  the  Bite  of  a  mad  dog...     020 

1772.     Feb.  2. — At  a  vestry,  &c.,  it  is  ordered  that  Mrs.  Cook  is  to  have 

2  Half  Barrels  of  ale  and  loading  on  condition  that  when  she 

draws  the  ist  \  Barrel  to  give  the  prime  cost  to  our  overseer  in 

order  to  keep  her  in  business. 


130  OVERSEERS'  ACCOUNTS. 


1776-     Pd.  for  bringing  \  a  Guinea  from  Wiggan  ...         "-^"o     i     o 

To  Robert  Lunt's  apprentice  fee    .„ 220 

To  a  Hat,  Stockings,  Knife,  and  Buckles  for  Do.  ...     o     3     8 

In  the  parish  chest  are  preserved  bundles  of  apprentices'  indentures, 
all  drawn  up  in  the  most  stringent  manner  ;  he  was  not  to 

"  Embezzle  or  waste  any  of  the  Goods  of  his  master,  at  Cards, 
''  Dice,  or  any  unlawful  game  he  shall  not  play,  Taverns  or 
u  Ale  Houses  he  shall  not  frequent,  nor  Matrimony  contract, 
"  &c.,  &c." 

On  the  master's  part,  he 

''  shall  teach  and  instruct  him  in  the  Art,  Mistery  or  Trade  of  a 
"  husbandman." 

1781.     To  expenses  at  Lerple         £o     5     o 

(This  is  one  of  £he  many  modes  of  spelling  Liverpool,  of  which  there  are  some 
20  different  ways). 

1795.  Exps.    removing    Alice   Hall,  her  and  two  children  to 

Nottingham,  being  seven  days  with  one  Horse  Cart  ^"5     5     o 

1796.  Pd.  into  the   hands  of  Mr.  Tayler  our  Proportionable 

part  of  the  Money  engaged  to  give  the  Men  raised 

for  the  Navy      24     i     8 

In  the  early  part  of  1795,  during  the  French  and  Dutch  wars,  there 
was  a  call  for  100,000  extra  seamen,  and  for  their  support  all  sorts  of  new 
taxes  were  levied. 

1798.  Pd.  to  the  constables  for  the  repair  of  Lancaster  Castle, 
for  the  relief  of  prisoners,  orders  for  conveying 
Troops,  and  orders  for  the  prosecution  of  Felons  '--£1$  2  o 

1806.     Fine  for  three-fourths  of  a  man  for  the  additional  Force.   15     o     o 

1809.     Received  from  the  chairman  of  the  Races  for  two  years 

as  by  agreement  to  the  25  March,  1809         ...          ...    10   10     o 

There  would  seem  to  have  been  no  fixed  time  for  these  meetings, 
which  were  held  on  the  Moss,  and,  as  far  as  I  can  learn,  the  course  was 


OVERSEERS'  ACCOUNTS.  131 

something  in  the  shape  of  the  figure  eight,  the  starting  post  being  from 
the  Stand  Houses  running  parallel  with  the  Liverpool-road,  to  the 
confines  of  the  moss  by  the  wood  at  the  back  of  what  is  now  Granville 
Park,  across  to,  and  parallel  with,  Prescot-road,  and  home  again  by  Sweep 
Alley  (still  so  named  on  the  ordnance  map),  now  bearing  the  more 
aristocratic  name  of  Long  Lane.  The  earlier  notices  of  these  races  are 
mentioned  by  Rev.  T.  E.  Gibson,  in  "  The  Crosby  Records."  He  says 
that  Mr.  Blundell  rarely  attended  them  after  his  second  cousin,  Lord 
Mountgarret,  left  Ormskirk,  but  the  following  appears  in  his  diary  : — 
"1705,  October  9. — I  went  to  the  race  on  Aughton  Moss,  where  Mr.Darcy's 
'  Cricket '  beat  the  famous  London  '  Dimple  '  and  two  others."  Mr. 
Blundell  attended  other  meetings.  In  1710,  five  ran,  and  the  plate  was 
won  by  a  horse  belonging  to  Lord  Cholmondeley.  Two  years  later,  in  1712, 
on  I3th  and  I4th  May,  the  diarist  took  his  wife  and  daughter  in  his  coach. 
He  mentions  Lord  and  Lady  Petre,  Lawyer  Starkey,  and  Parson  Letus,  of 
Sefton,  as  being  present.  On  this  occasion  Lord  Molineux's  "Darcy" 
and  a  Yorkshire  horse  were  beaten  by  one  belonging  to  a  Mr.  Batters. 
Another  diarist,  one  Thomas  Tyldesley,  of  Myrescough,  speaks  of  this 
same  meeting:  "1712,  May  I3th. — About  8  in  ye  morning  went  over 
Ribble  to  Ormskirk  race,  where  were  a  greatt  company  of  ye  best  in  ye 
county :  pd  pro  meat  and  drinke  pro  man  and  selfe  is.  6d.,and  then  went 
back  with  Ned  Winckley  to  Banister  hall  ;  but  spent  per  viam  (on  the 
road  ?)  at  Bancke  bowling  house  is."  In  the  year  1711,  the  meeting  was 
in  April,  and  Mr.  Blundell  is  again  there  with  "  Coz  Scaresbrick,  I,  and 
our  wives  to  a  race  on  Aughton  Moss,  where  a  gray  mare  from  Bretherton 
ran  against  a  bay  mare  from  towards  Clitherow.  When  the  race  was  past, 
Mr.  Scaresbrick  and  I  went  to  Lancet's,  the  sign  of  the  Queen's  Head, 
in  Ormskirk,  where  we  drunk  wine  with  Sir  Thomas  Stanley,  Mr.  Stanley 
his  son,  Captain  Standish,  Parson  Hindley,  of  Aughton,  &c."  Turning  to 
our  own  records  in  the  Parish  account  books,  several  items  bear  upon  the 
management  of  the  Races.  The  earliest  mention  is  in  1782,  when  some- 
thing was  "spent  about  the  man  who  died  at  Races  ;"  in  1794,  "Cash 
rec'd  at  Races  from  those  who  sold  ale,  Liquors,  &c.,  there,  £i  135.  8d." 


132  OVERSEERS'  ACCOUNTS. 

It  appears  a  man  was  killed  at  the  meeting  of  1799,  when  the 
constables  charged  2s.  6d.  for  "  Fechting  the  coroner  for  a  man  kill'd." 
Mr.  Woods  was  the  doctor  attending,  and  they  also  paid  "  Mr.  Mawdsley 
for  talking,"  2s.  6d.,  which  was  decidedly  a  primitive  way  of  describing  a 
lawyer's  capabilities.  Other  entries  show  the  amounts  the  stewards  paid 
for  erecting  booths  upon  the  Moss.  Two  guineas  were  charged  to  a 
Mr.  Harris  for  "Training  his  Horses  upon  the  Race  course,"  1807.  The 
chairman  of  the  races  was  a  Mr.  Bromfield  in  1810,  and  it  appears  a 
yearly  charge  of  £$  53.  was  made  for  the  use  of  the  course,  the  receipt 
stamp  for  same,  2^d.,  being  duly  debited  to  the  parish.  The  last  race  was, I 
am  led  to  understand,  in  1815,  and  was  notable  for  a  violent  thunderstorm, 
which  caused  great  damage  to  property  on  the  course.  It  was  currently 
reported  at  the  time  to  be  a  judgment  on  the  vast  accumulation  of 
wickedness  of  bye-gone  days.  The  Aughton  Enclosure  Act  was  in  53, 
George  III.  (1813). 


CONSTABLES'    ACCOUNTS. 


CONSTABLES'     ACCOUNTS. 


JREVIOUS  to  the  year  1842,  when  the  County  Police  Force 
came  into  operation,  the  general  law  was  that  every  parish 
should  have  its  constables  ;   and  it  was  the  duty  of  every 
man  to  serve  in  that  office,  and  for  nothing  ;  the  individuals 
elected,  however,  were  privileged  to  find  substitutes. 

In  Aughton,  the  Lords  of  the  Manor  each  nominated  one  constable, 
and  the  following  form  in  1730  runs  : — 

"  We,  the  undersigned,  Richard,  Ld  Vise'-  Molyneaux  and  John 
"  Plumbe,  esq.,  lords  of  the  manor  of  Aughton  in  the  county 
"  of  Lancaster,  according  to  immemorial  custom  of  electing 
'  constables  for  the  said  township,  do  hereby  nominate,  elect, 
"  and  choose  Sam  Bickersteth  and  John  Barton  to  serve  the 
"  office  of  constables  for  the  said  township  and  parish  of 
«  Aughton  for  the  ensuing  year."  H  R  MQLYNEAUX> 

"  JOHN  PLUMBE." 

After  the  Earl  of  Sefton  sold  his  estates,  the  parishioners  elected  the 
constable,  instead  of  the  one  elected  by  this  family,  the  election  being 
made  in  the  Parish  Church  every  Michaelmas  Day. 

In  1842  the  constables'  accounts  were  audited  and  signed — 

u  For  John  Plumbe  Tempest,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Lords  of  the  Manor 
"  of  Aughton,  and  sole  Lord  of  the  Manor  of  Up  Litherland." 

Like  all  of  our  other  parish  accounts,  these  commence  in   1739,  each 
year  opening  with  the  item — 

"  For  going  to  Darby  Court  wn.  sworn,  and  Barleyman's 

expenses"         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  £Q     2  10 

"  Among  the  inferior  officers  at  the  Manorial  Courts,  leet  and  baron  were  burgh 
or  burough  lawmen,  later  on  termed  bye-law. men.  The  barleymen,  as  we  now  cal' 
them  in  Lancashire,  are  the  referees  as  to  the  amounts  due  for  damage,  trespass, 
encroachments,  &c." — Notes  and  Queries,  1876. 

K 


136  CONSTABLES  ACCOUNTS. 


1740.     Sep.   1 8. — Paid  George  Blundell  for   repairing  ye   ducking  stool, 

is.  lod.     (Hen.  Aspinwall,  constable.) 

Dr.  Johnson  said  we  have  different  modes  of  restraining  evil — stocks 
for  the  men,  a  ducking  stool  for  women,  and  a  pound  for  beasts.  We 
have  had  all  three  in  our  parish.  The  stocks  figure  in  the  records  with  an 
entry  or  two  relative  to  the  purchase  of  a  "lock  for  stocks,"  and  an  occasional 
coat  of  paint.  They  stood  by  the  old  wall  of  the  churchyard,  and  report 
states  that  one,  "  Old  Dawber  "  by  name,  was  the  last  to  grace  them.  It 
is  well  known  the  ducking  stool  was  a  correctional  seat  in  which  scolds 
were  placed,  that  the  warmth  of  their  temperament  might  be  regulated 
by  the  salutary  operation  of  ducking.  It  is  impossible  to  fix  the  date 
when  it  was  introduced,  or  to  say  when,  by  the  improvement  in  female 
manners,  it  was  no  longer  found  necessary,  but  that  it  was  in  request  must 
be  inferred  by  the  repairs  required.  It  is  also  a  matter  of  conjecture 
where  the  ducking  pond  was  situated.  I  am  led  to  understand  there 
existed  a  sheet  of  water  at  the  foot  of  Church  Brow,  which  would  be  fed 
by  the  numerous  springs  in  that  locality,  and  being  in  close  proximity  to 
the  church  and  village  green,  I  should  imagine  there  the  village  scold 
would  be  dragged  "  to  the  pond,  where  the  high  stool 

"  On  the  long  plank  hangs  o'er  the  muddy  pool, 
"  That  stool,  the  dread  of  every  scolding  quean 
"There  plac'd  aloft,  I'll  rave  and  rail  by  fits 
"Though  all  the  parish  say  I've  lost  my  wits." 

1740.     Pd.  to  a  man  with  a  pass  from  Isle  a  White. 

Given  to  a  man  with  a  pass  from  Portobello. 

Pd.  to  a  woman  and  a  child  with  a  pass  to  Scotland. 
These  wayfarers  usually  got  6d.  a  piece.  A  minute,  under  date  April 
2yth,  1736,  records  : — "There  hath  of  late  been  severall  summes  charged 
"  in  the  churchwardens  accts-  as  paid  to  travellers  or  other  persons,  some 
"  of  whom  have  pretended  to  come  with  passes,  which  payments  have 
"  usually  been  at  the  discretion  of  the  said  churchwardens  and  swelled 
"  their  accounts  as  we  apprehend  unnecessarily,  now  we  whose  names  are 
"  subscribed  do  hereby,  at  this  vestry,  order  the  churchwardens  for  the 
"  time  to  come  do  not  pay  any  money  at  all  to  any  such  persons,  or  if 
"  they  do  that  the  same  shall  not  be  allowed  in  their  accounts." 

(Signed)  H.  PLUMBE.  GEO    HEWITT. 

1 8  others. 


CONSTABLES'  ACCOUNTS.  137 

The  effect  of  this  order  plainly  shows,  from  the  accounts,  that  the 
constables  had  to  bear  these  charges,  and  in  fact  a  very  large  percentage 
of  their  expenses  went  in  relief.  From  29th  Sept.,  1747,  to  same  date> 
1749,  they  relieved — 


14  Soldiers'  Widows,  with 
34  Children. 
2  Soldiers'  Wives,  with 
4  Children. 
151  Distressed  Sailors. 
50  Disabled        do. 


27  Soldiers. 

3       Do.      Wounded. 

28  Do.       Disbanded. 
40      Do.       Distressed. 

2       Do.       Disabled. 

6  Marines. 


34  Sailors. 

Besides  others  called  passengers — in  all  some  400  people.  They  would  all 
have  to  produce  a  pass  signed  by  a  magistrate,  with  particulars  whence 
they  came  and  whither  going. 

1741.     Nov.  5. — Spt.  at  a  Bonefire  at  Aughton  Church  Style 

and  Gall  Hill      /o     3     9 

1747.     To  12  Baskets  of  coals  for  bonefire  and  paid  for  powder...  050 

1750.     To  coals  for  ye  Bonefire      ...         ...         ...         ...         ...o     5     o 

Do  to  powder        ...         ...         ...         ...         ...o     i     2 

Spent  at  Jon  Southard  6s.  at  Booties  2s.  at  Susan 
Blundels  2s.  and  at  Henry  Goore  and  Miller  either 
is.  in  all  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  o  12  o 

1755.     Spent  at  the  Moss  at  all  the  houses          ...         ...         ...o     6     o 

To  powder    ...         ...         ...  ...014 

1766.     Spent  at  Aughton  church  stile  and  Moss  i     7     o 

1768.     Spent  at  sundry  places        i   16     o 

To  Gunpowder         ...         ...  ...  o     o  10^ 

1777.     April   i. — Agreed  nothing  to  be  spent  on  the  5th  Nov.  for  the 

future. 
1785.     Sep.  29. — At  a  vestry  &c.  agreed  that  in  future  the  sum  of  £i  be 

allowed  by  the  parish  to  be  spent  on  the  5  Nov.  and  in  future 

no  sum  exceeding  that  will  be  allowed. 


138  CONSTABLES'  ACCOUNTS. 

No  comment  on  these  payments  is  required  ;  it  will  be  noticed,  as 
time  went  on,  the  decrease  in  the  amount  of  powder  provided  is  largely 
counterbalanced  by  the  creature  comforts  at  "  sundry  places." 

1742.     July  1 6. — At  laying  the  window  book      ...         ...         ...  -Co    4     o 

Paid  to  the  Window  Peepers        ...         ...         ...         ...     012     o 

The  window  tax  was  the  predecessor  of  our  present  inhabited  house 
duty,  and  was  only  repealed  in  1851.  Seven  windows  went  free,  and,  in 
country  districts,  dairy  and  cheese-room  windows  also.  Walsh  Hall  had  a 
window  labelled  Cheese  Room.  The  Rev.  George  Vanbrugh  had  in  the 
Rectory  (1801)  27  windows,  and  was  taxed  up  to  -£i\  125. 

1744.  Spent  at  takeing  3  sailors  that  was  pressed  on^yaem  and 

others  that  attended  all  the  time  ...  ^^  •••£l  9  3 
Paid  to  Constable  of  Ormskirk  for  the  time  the  men 

were  kept  there...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...     2  12  3 

To  pressing  Wm.  Burning  and  keeping  a  Day  and  Night, 

and  assistants     ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...     o  5  ° 

To  going  a  Privy  Searching  ...  ...  ...  ...  o  i  o 

1745.  June  27. — To  pressing  John  Leatherbarrow        ...         ...     o     7     6 

The  press-gang  must  have  been  busy  in  Aughton,  if  we  are  to  judge 
by  these  items.  Leatherbarrow  must  have  come  to  an  untimely  end,  for 
the  overseers  have  this  recorded  : — 

1746.  May  4. — It  was  agreed,  &c.,  that  the  overseers  of  the  poor 
should  give  and  allow  to  J.  Leatherbarrow's  widow,  being  one 
of  our  poor,  the  sum  of  two  pounds  ten  shillings  to  Relieve 
her  {family  living  at  Hull,  provided  she  would  trouble  us  no 
more,  unless  she  would  come  and  reside  in  our  Township. 

1745.     Apr.  22.— Pd.  Wm.  Hill,  a  sailor  that  was  taken  with  ye 

Spaniards,  his  wife  and  5  children      ...         ...         •-•£o     l     ° 

1747.  To  Carting  Rebels 006 

1748.  Pd.  to  a  man  distressed  by  Cattle o     o     6 

1749.  To  making  Hue-and-Cry    ...          ...          ...          ...          ...     o     i     o 


CONSTABLES'  ACCOUNTS.  139 


1751.     Pd.  to  a  man  and  3  children  with  a  pass,  distressed  by 

Thunder...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  •••  £o  o  8 

1754.  Spent  at  receiving  money  from  the  Last  officers  ...     o  2  6 

1755.  To  expences  concerning  ye  man  that  stole  the  goose  ...     o  5  6 

Paid  to  Michael  Heathcoat  for  the  finger-post,  and  the 

clerk  for  lettering  and  painting  ye  same        ...         ...     o  13     6 

1756.  Pd.  for  a  Lock  for  Stocks    ...         ...         ..          ...         ...     o     2     2 

Pd.  to  mending  the  handcuffs       003 

1757.  To  attending  the  marriage  of  John  Moore  and  throwing 

to  ye  Scholars     ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...     o     i     6 

1758.  To  making  privy  search  for  seafaring  men          ...         ...     o     I     o 

1760.  Feb.  19. — Two  days  privy  search  and  spent  at  taking  up 

8  young  lads  for  Sabbath  breaking  before  Justice  ...     o     3     o 

A  few  years  later  "  a  warning  at  Ormskirk  that  no  person  should 
"  play  at  Ball  on  the  Moss  on  Sunday." 

1761.  To  Michael  Heathcoat  for  a  Rail  over  Soudell  Brook    ...  £Q     i     2 
Spent  at  taking  Bollilo        ...         ...         ...         ...         ...     o     3     o 

To  taking  Pondechery       ...         ...         ...         ...         ...040 

1762.  To  the  Ringers  at  taking  Martinino         ...         ...         ...     o     3     o 

Spent  on  the  Parishioners  at  the  Birth  of  Prince  Wales     056 
To  the  taking  of  the  Havanah      ...         ...          ...         ...     o  10     o 

In  these  "  victory  ringings  "  our  worthy  constable  got  mixed  over  the 
names.  Bollilo  stands  for  Belle  Isle  ;  and  Martinino  must  be  construed 
into  Martinique. 

1762.  Sep.  29. — u  At  a  General  meeting  it  is  hereby  agreed  that,  for  the 
"  time  to  come,  no  Master  in  the  Parish  of  Aughton,  having 
"  Servants  or  Apprentices,  shall  convey  them  to  prison  but  at 
"  their  own  Expense." 

1768.     To  erecting  a  Finger  post  at  the  end  of  the  Town        "*£l     6     i 


i4o  CONSTABLES'  ACCOUNTS. 

1777.  Spent  at  taking  Long  Island         £o  14     o 

Do.  Rhode  Island        090 

To  taking  Ticonderoga       ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  o  14     o 

1778.  Do.        Statin  Island       0174 

Do.         Philadelphia       o  18     8 

1780.     Spent  on  the  Ringers,  taking  Charles  Town       o     2     6 

These  "  victory  ringings  "  are  reminiscences  of  the  American  War  of 
Independence. 

1782.     To  a  rejoicing  day  for  Admiral  Rodney  ...         ...         ... £o     9     o 

1787.  To  four  jurymen  on  the  Inquest  of  a  Man  found 

murdered  in  this  Parish  ...  ...  ...040 

To  Cash  pd.  for.  892  Sparrow  heads  brot  into  the  vestry 

at  a  farthing  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  018  7 

To  19  Magpye  heads  at  halfpenny. 

The  destruction  of  birds  was  immense  ;  in  1788,  2,001  sparrows,  and 
in  1789,  3,797  sparrows,  were  brought  in,  besides  other  singing  birds.  In 
1828,  the  premiums  fixed  were  one  penny  each  for  old  sparrows  ;  one 
farthing  for  young  ones  ;  bullfinches  one  penny  each  ;  but  nothing  for 
magpies  ;  the  cost  for  that  year  reaching  £26  8s.  6d. 

1789.  Received  for  goods  trespassing  on  the  Waste  Lands, 
Cattle  Grazing  thereon,  Likewise  for  Sods  and  Sands 
taken  therefrom  ..  ...  ...  ...  ...  £2  17  2 

1793.  Given   the   Ringers   when   news   came    of    the   taking 

of  Toulon          ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...     o  10     6 

1794.  To  exps.  on  Ringers  and  others  at  three  different  times 

Rejoicing  taking  Martinico,  the  French  Fleet,  and 

St.  Domingo      i   16     6 

For  taking  down  and  rebuilding  Brook  House  Bridge  in 

Aughton  and  Ormskirk  ...         ...         ...         ...     417     6 

1797.  Sep.  29. — Received  from  Miles  Barton,  of  Ormskirk, 
Surgeon,  a  year's  rent  for  the  Mud  Hole,  near  the 
Bridge,  at  Townend,  due  6  Apr.  last...  ...  ...  o  2  6 


CONSTABLES'  ACCOUNTS.  141 

Will  this  curious  entry  have  any  reference  to  what  was  known  as  the 
"  Earth  Cure,"  started  by  a  quack  named  Graham,  about  1785,  and  who  is 
mentioned  by  Brooke  in  his  "Liverpool  during  the  i8th  Century"? 
One  of  Graham's  means  for  insuring  health  and  longevity  was  the 
frequent  use  of  mud  baths  ;  and,  that  it  might  be  evident  that  he  practised 
what  he  preached,  he  was  to  be  seen  in  his  garden,  on  stated  occasions, 
immersed  in  mud  to  the  chin,  and  accompanied  by  a  woman  to  whom  he 
gave  the  name  of  Vestina,  Goddess  of  Health. 

1798.  Taking  an  Acct.  of  all  Persons  in  the  Parish  and  their 

Stocks  of  Cattle  ...         ...         ...         ...         •••_^~o     8     o 

Exps.  on  Ringers  when  Admiral  Nelson  obtained  the 

Victory  on  the  Nile      ...         ...         ...         ...         ...     o     7     6 

1799.  Exps.  on  Parishcrs  rejoicing  at  the  Capture  of  the  Dutch 

Fleet        114 

1801.     Wm.  Mawdsley's  Bill  for  drawing  a  plan  of  the  Church.,     i    IT     6 
Assessing  Armorial  Bearings  and  Hair  Powder  Duty    ...     o     5     o 

By  48  George  III.,  c.  55,  every  person  wearing  or  using 
Hair  Powder  paid  £\  13:6  per  annum. 


The  roll  of  Aughton  constables  is  preserved,  with  a  few  exceptions, 
since  1670,  and  in  many  instances  substitutes  had  been  provided.  The 
list  contains  many  old  parish  names  and  residences,  a  few  of  which  may 
interest  some  of  my  readers. 

1670.  George  Swift,  John  Leatherbarrow. 

1671.  John  Walsh,  Richard  Hodgkinson. 
1673.     James  Worthington,  Rob.  Letherbarrow. 

1675.  Thomas  Robinson,  William  Sutch. 

1676.  Thomas  Langley,  Rich.  Aspinwall. 
1687.     Mr.  Jameson,  Lower  House. 

1692.     Henry  Guy,  Little  Hall  ;  Simon  Smith. 


i42  CONSTABLES  ACCOUNTS: 

1693.  Middlewood,  Roger  Harrocks. 

1695.  James  Worth ington,  for  Lunde,  Peter  Butshard. 

1701.  Thomas  Tumpp,  Bowker's  Estate. 

1708.  Thomas -Meadow,  for  Cockbeck  ;  J.  Harrocks. 

1709.  John  Pye,  Hollinhurst ;  Thos.  Langley. 

1713.  John  Mercer,  Hall  of  Aughton,  and  William  Alerton. 

1714.  Henry  Watkinson,  Jn.,  Wm.  Tyrer,  for  Mr.  Kippax's  House. 
1718.  Henry  Molyneaux  p.  Rich.  Physic,  John  Goore,  p.  Banister. 
1724.  Henry  Molyneaux,  for  Cleeves  Hill,  Rob.  Woosey,  for  Hodkinson. 
1726.  Peter  Woosey,  for  Arnold's  House. 

1728.  James  Pye,  for  Hoskyns,  James  ffoggs  for  Mr.  Scrofts. 

1731.  Gilbert  Woosey  for  Little  Hall. 

Humphrey  Wilcock  for  Hall  of  Walsh. 

1732.  John  Cross  for  Bridge   House,  Nicholas  Newell  for  Mr.  Smoots. 
1734.  Robert  Bickersteth  for  Middlewood. 

John  Goore  for  Mr.  Sudells,  near  the  Moss. 

1736.  Henry  Watkinson   for   Town   Green. 

E.  Martlow  for    Molyneux,  near  Brookfield  Green. 

1738.  Henry  Aspinwall,  Job  Pye  for  Highland. 

1739-  Thomas  Taylor  for  Charles  Stanley,  Esq. 

1740.^  Wm.  Yates  for  Mickerin. 

1753.  John  Fazackerley,  Wm.  Scharisbrick. 

1776-  John  Southworth,  Richard  Parr. 

1783.  Thos.  Clarkson,  Henry  Brighouse. 

1790.  Jno.  Shekeledy,  John  Allin. 
1794.  Ditto  Thomas  Harsnip. 

1798.  James  Dickinson,  John  Caunce. 

1803.  Wm.  Welsby,  Wm.  Prescott. 

1816.  John  Prescott,  Rob.  Bell  (who  died  in  office). 

1817.  Ditto  John  Wignall. 
1822.  Wm.  Aspinwall,  Rich.  Rainford. 
1828.  James  Taylor,  Rich  Serjeant. 
1842.  John  Freeman. 


WAYWARDENS'  ACCOUNTS. 


SURVEYORS    OF    THE    HIGHWAYS, 
OR    WAYWARDENS. 


ATURALLY   these   accounts  treat  of  but  one  subject — the 
roads — and,  therefore,  exhibit  little  variety  ;    still,  a  quaint 
bit  of  humour  (unwittingly,  no  doubt)  creeps  in  now  and 
again.     They  were  not  quite  so  lavish  in  their  expenditure 
at  "  footing  time,"  and  displayed  most  commendable  caution  when  they 

only 

"  Spent  on  the  old  officers  when  we  knowd  wh  way  in  pocket." 

Several  items  throw  a  little  light  on  the  nomenclature  of  our  roads  ; 
others,  again,  on  the  cost  of  labour,  the  price  of  timber,  &c.,  &c. 

1737.  To  John  Underwood  for  3   loads  of  Gorse   laid   in   ye 

highways  £Q     2     o 

1738.  To  Thomas  Taylor  for  4  loads  paving-stones  carted  into 

pudding  street,  at  is.  6d.  a  load       ...         ...         ...     o     6     o 

Why,  or  wherefore,  Pudding  Street  is  pure  conjecture.  When  the 
churchwardens  were  wont  to  be  sworn  in,  it  was  called  "  Parish  pudding  " 
day.  It  is  said  that  an  old  woman  resided  there,  whose  culinary  opera- 
tions in  making  black  puddings  became  renowned.  There  may  be  some 
truth  in  this,  for  later  (1763)  it  is  called  "  Old  Ann's  Lane,"  and  there  is 
now  Big  Nan  and  Little  Nan  Field  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood. 

The  name  has  long  rankled  in  the  breast  of  several  parishioners,  for 
in  a  vestry,  25th  March,  1878,  a  discussion  was  introduced  to  alter 
Pudding  Street  into  Brookfield  Lane,  by  which  more  euphonious  title  it  is 
still  struggling  hard  to  be  called.  Granted  that  a  "  street  "  is  superior  to 
a  "  lane,"  the  levelling  down  principle  demands  that  the  only  street  in  the 
Parish  should  cease  to  exist. 


146  WAYWARDENV  ACCOUNTS. 

"  Tis  but  thy  name  that  is  my  enemy : 

O,  be  some  other  name  ! 

What's  in  a  name  ?  " 

"  Le  Brookefield  "  is  mentioned  in  1614. 

1739.     For  7  days  work  to  Thomas  Prescott  at  lod.  a  day       ...  £o>     5   10 
Spt.  when  Mr.  Plumbe  &  Mr.  Hill  surveyed  ye  Cutt  lane     020 

"  I  July,  1739. — At  a  vestry  an  order  was  gotten  by  Jno.  Plumbe. 
"  Esq.,  that  the  township  should  pave  or  make  a  yard  causey  in  the  Cutt 
"  lane.  The  majority  of  the  vestry,  whose  names  are  subscribed, 
"  thought  it  very  proper  that  the  order  should  be  laid  aside,  it  being 

"  never  repaired  by  any  officer." 

CHARLES  STANLEY, 

BRYAN  WILCOCK, 

HENRY  SWIFT  and  21  others. 

"  John  Marsh  gave  his  vote  at  the  same  vestry  to  have  the  above 
"  pavd.  and  none  else." 

With  the  Masons  at  agreeing  for  ye  Cart  Platt  near  the 

town  green         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...     o     I     4 

For  penny  ragge      ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...     o    o     2 

Platt  is  a  rough  bridge  or  way  over  a  ditch  or  brook  ;  but  what  is 
penny  ragge  ? 

1743.     Pd.  for  hewing  rock  on  Ashhurst's  Hill  ...         ...         •••  £°     3     6 

Do.     land  laid  to  the  Highway  at  Ashhurst  Cross      ...     4     2     5 

1747.     At  Codpiece  Green,  Wm.  Mason,  9  load  (stones)          ...     013     6 

At  Bould  Lane         017 

To  4  days  of  i  man  for  work  by  Holburn  ...         ...     o     6     o 

Codpiece  Green,  which  has  now  entirely  lost  its  identity,  was  situated 
at  the  junction  of  Parr's  Lane  and  Prescot  Road,  and  would  take  its 
name  from  its  shape.  Holburn,  or  Holborn  Hill,  on  the  ascent  of  the 
Liverpool  Road  from  Ormskirk,  is  retained  in  Holborn  House. 

1751.     Aug.  6. — Pd.  to  John  Seddon  for  measuring   ye  land  taken  to 
enlarge  the  road  at  Mickering,.  ...         ...         '~£°     3    -6 


WA  Y  WAR  DENS'  ACCOUNTS.  147 


In  Calendar  of  Pleadings,  23  Elizabeth  (1551),  there  was  a  dispute — 
Jas.  Lathwaite  versus  Hy.  Asmoll  and  George  Holme — concerning 
messuage  and  lands  called  Mykeringe.  In  Dugdale's  visitation,  1665,  a 
member  of  the  Burscough  family  appears  to  have  lived  here.  Mary, 
daughter  of  Peter  Stanley,  of  Moor  Hall,  married  "  Macklin  Bursco,  of 
the  Mackering,  in  Aughton."  The  earliest  notice  of  the  name  in  the 
parish  books  occurs  in  1677,  when  "Rich  Hesketh  Mickring "  was 
overseer. 

1754.     Spent  by  order  of  Mr.  Plumbe  to  level  the  roads  at  the 

funeral  of  Lawyer  Bootle        ...         ...         ...         ... £o>     2     o 

1756.     Pd.  Ale  for  Carters  at  Parson's  Brook      ...         ...         ...     o     i     o 

1759.     Pd.  for  laying  a  Rack  at  Bickensteen  Brook        o     o     8 

The  brook,  which  rises  among  Aughton  Springs,  passing  the  Rectory, 
would  naturally  be  dubbed  "  Parson's  Brook  "  ;  and  we  read  of  "  making 
cramps  for  ye  bridge  by  ye  Rector's,"  about  this  time.  Formerly,  a  moat 
existed  round  the  Rectory,  fed  by  this  stream  ;  but  all  trace  of  it  has  long 
disappeared.  Further  on  its  course  it  gives  name  to  Bickiston  Meadow, 
and  ultimately  empties  itself  into  the  Sudell. 
1764.  Pd.  Carters  for  taking  Stones  to  Sudell  Brook  ...  ... £Q  i  2 

This  brook,  which  divides  Aughton  from  Lydiate,  would,  in  all 
likelihood,  take  its  name  from  Mr.  Christopher  Sudell,  for  a  short  time 
Rector  of  the  Parish.  In  1717,  he  figures  as  waywarden,  living  at  "higher 
house,"  or  High  House,  which  is  not  far  from  the  brook. 

1764.  29th  Oct.— For  removing  Stones  from  Budget's  Lane  to 

Holt  Green        £v    o     3 

Budget  or  Butcher's  Lane,  is  mentioned  under  the  heading  of 
"Registers."  Holt  Green,  the  only  green  still  remaining  to  the  Parish, 
has  in  its  centre  the  base  of  an  ancient  cross  ;  a  similar  one  stands  in  the 
corner  of  the  road  at  Cross  Brow  or  Mount ;  another  one  did  exist  at 
Birches  Brow,  but  is  now  entirely  destroyed. 

1765.  Aug.  31. — To  3  Rack  Poles  laid  at  Birchal's  Brow        ... £Q    2     o 

„  To  James  Birchal  for  2  loads  of  Stone          ...     o     3     o 


WAYWARDENS1  ACCOUNTS.  149 


Birches  Brow,  a  picturesque  district  of  the  parish,  would  seem  to  be 
a  corruption  of  Birchall's  Brow.     The  modern  name  would  naturally  be 
associated  with  the  presence  of  birch  trees  ;  but,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  none 
existed  there  until  the  late  Mr.  Musgrove  planted  them  a  few  years  ago. 
1766.     Spent  at  geting  the  Roads  Cult  with  the  great  snow     ...  £Q    o  10 

1769.     In  this  year  2  ash  trees  cost  10  6  ;    a  poplar   7;'-;    and    Michael 

Heathcote  sold  an  oak  for  5/-. 
1774.     To  a  new  platt  by  Winifords         ...         ...         ...         •••£,&     5     o 

Winifred  Lane,  to  which  this  entry  presumably  refers,  may  have  its 
name  originally  from  some  one  bearing  that  name.  There  was  a  Mr. 
Winifred  an  overseer  in  1717. 

Of  other  road  nomenclature,  Cottage  Lane  will  take  its  name  from 
the  erection  of  "  The  Cottage,"  late  Miss  Blundell's,  now  occupied  by  Mrs. 
Brighouse.  Prior  to  that  it  is  conjectured  it  was  designated  Pyntell  Lane. 
This  was  an  ancient  local  family  name,  for  in  5th  Edw.  I.  (1277  A.D.) 
there  was  an  action  by  Adam,  son  of  Richard  Pyntel,  against  Robert  le 
Molinens  touching  some  possessions  in  Melling  ;  later,  in  1694,  an 
action  was  pending — "  Alexander  Hesketh  and  his  wife,  Maria,  versus 
"  Thos.  Dodd,  Robt.  Cholmondley,  John  Caunce  " — concerning  "  Messuages 
"  and  tenements  in  Ormskirke,  a  close  of  ground  in  Aughton  called 
"  Pintles  Acres,  and  a  messuage,  &c.,  in  Ormskirke  called  the  Eagle  and 
Child,  &c."  There  is  now  a  field  in  Cottage  Lane  called  Pimples  Acre. 

The  field  name  has  been  spoken  of  as  the  "  wayside  flower  of  the  old 
"  English  language  ; "  few  things  are  more  difficult  than  unlocking  the 
mysteries  of  these  names.  Guessing  as  to  what  they  mean  is  an  easy 
amusement,  and  it  is  but  seldom  that  one  can  arrive  at  anything  like 
certainty.  Scattered  up  and  down  these  "  Gleanings  "  are  references  to  a 
few  on  which  old  deeds  have  thrown  a  light.  Others  may  be  ascertained 
by  some  local  formation  of  the  land,  such  as  "  Brand  Earth "  in  the 
Clieves  Hill  District.  Here  the  word  "  brand "  may  be  a  corruption  of 
"  brant,"  meaning  steep,  a  word  still  to  be  found  in  the  names  of  places  in 
the  Lake  District :  as  in  Brant  Fell,  and  Brantwood  (Mr.  Ruskin's  house 
at  Coniston). 


ISO  WA YWARDENS  ACCOUNTS. 


Local  dialect  will  sometimes  give  a  clue  ;  "  Pingot  Meadow  "  being 
a  sample.  Pingot  is  still,  or  was  very  recently,  in  common  use  in 
Lancashire,  meaning  "a  small  enclosure  of  land."  It  is  found  in  Tim 
Bobbin — "A  tailor  wur  throng  pooin  turmits  in  his  pingot." 

Personal  names  are  perpetuated  in  various  instances.  Woosey's  Acre 
has  already  been  under  notice.  Underwood  Croft,  Arnold's  Meadow, 
Seddon's  Hey,  all  names  of  old  parishioners.  Agriculture  and  its  attendant 
accessories  naturally  figure  largely  in  these  names,  such  as  :  Marled  Hey, 
Broad  Acre,  Turf  Stack  Croft,  Horse  Pasture,  Ox  Hey,  Tall  Grass  Hey, 
Gorse  Acre,  Thistle  Hey,  Oozey  Earth,  Daisy  Hey,  Sour  Field,  Boar's 
Hey,  and  scores  of  others  similar. 

Of  Shakspearian  names  there  are  three  :  Woolsey's  Croft,  already 
noticed,  Dogberry  Meadow,  and  Hamlet's  Croft. 

Will  Cross-bow  Field,  and  Short  Shoot,  be  any  reminiscence  of  the  time 
when  every  Englishman  should  have  a  bow  of  his  own  height  ?  What  is 
the  explanation  of  Cadix  Meadow,  Souder  Field,  Loten,  Galniff,  Longless, 
Dragon  Hey,  Long  Slang  ?  The  reader  must  use  his  own  judgment,  and 
find  them  in  a  dictionary  if  he  can. 


ON    THE  ARCHITECTURE   OF 
THE  TWO   CHURCHES. 


CONTRIBUTED  BY   THOMAS   MEDCALF. 


PARISH   CHURCH. 

(South-East  Aspect). 


ON    THE    ARCHITECTURE    OF    THE 
TWO    CHURCHES. 


THE     PARISH    CHURCH. 

HE  Church  of  St.  Michael,  although  of  undoubted  antiquity, 
never  appears  to  have  gathered  around  it  any  story,  or 
traditions,  connected  with  its  past  history  ;  and,  although 
several  periods  of  Gothic  architecture  are  represented,  few 
of  the  ancient  features  are  possessed  of  grace  or  symmetry  ;  yet,  despite 
its  lack  of  historic  annals,  or  intrinsic  beauty,  it  is  interesting  from  an 
archaeological  point  of  view.  Many  of  its  features  are  quaint  and 
picturesque,  and  its  weather-stained  and  time-worn  stones  are  eloquent 
of  an  otherwise  silent  past.  When  its  foundations  were  laid  the  great 
city  to  the  south  was  but  a  small  village,  inhabited  by  a  few  fisher  folk  ; 
the  fertile  meadows  around  it  were  mostly  covered  by  a  vast  forest, 
stretching  to  Crosby  shore  ;  and  the  rich  table-land  to  the  north  was,  no 
doubt,  a  wild  morass,  whose  reedy  pools  were  the  haunt  of  the  swan,  the 
heron,  and  the  bittern.  For  seven  hundred  years  at  least  its  quiet  and 
apparently  uneventful  existence  has  run,  and,  no  doubt,  in  times  of  peace 
and  times  of  trouble,  it  has  formed  a  centre  of  religious  life.  Generation 
after  generation  has  been  summoned  by  the  sound  of  its  "Church-going 
bell,"  and  their  footsteps  have  been  directed  towards  its  heaven-pointing 
spire. 

That  a  large  portion  of  the  south  wall  of  the  nave  was  built  in  the 
twelfth  century  is  evidenced  by  the  ancient  masonry,  and  the  remains  of 
the  Norman  doorway,  which  have  been  almost  miraculously  preserved. 
Both  the  shafts  of  the  columns  are  gone,  but  the  bases  still  stand  in 
position,  and  one  capital  of  genuine  Norman  type  is  left.  The  formation 
of  the  large  oblong  window  adjoining  appears  to  have  weakened  the  wall 
to  such  an  extent  that  the  thrust  of  the  roof  timbers  was  forcing  it  out- 
ward. To  remedy  this,  a  massive  buttress  has,  in  times  gone  by,  been 


REMAINS  OF  NORMAN  DOORWAY, 
PARISH  CHURCH. 


THE  PARISH  CHURCH.  155 

built  against  the  centre  of  the  arch.  It  is  possible  that  the  doorway  may 
have  been  walled  up  previous  to  this,  and  the  present  one  formed  ;  a 
weather  label  giving  evidence  of  a  porch  with  a  roof  of  steeper  pitch  having 
existed  on  the  site  of  the  present  one.  Possibly  the  old  porch  may  have 
been  "restored"  a  century  or  two  ago  ;  a  portion  of  the  present  one  has 
certainly  been  re-dressed  within  the  memory  of  the  old  parishioners — most 
likely  in  1826,  when  the  Church  was  pointed  and  the  top  of  the  spire 
rebuilt.  The  lower  part  of  the  wall,  to  the  west  of  the  porch,  is  of  very 
ancient  workmanship  ;  and  another  buttress  has  at  some  remote  period 
been  placed  against  a  small  lancet  or  Norman  window,  only  the  east 
jamb  of  which  is  to  be  seen. 

There  are  two  windows  placed  right  under  the  eaves  on  this'side  of 
the  Church.  One  of  these  was,  no  doubt,  formed  for  lighting  the  gallery, 
and  is  merely  a  square  hole  cut  into  the  masonry,  without  sill,  or  quoins, 
or  stone  head  ;  the  diamond  lead  lights  being  placed  within  two  inches  of 
the  face  of  the  wall,  and  only  secured  by  a  cement  fillet.  The  other  is  a 
three-light  mullioned  window,  with  flat  segment  arches,  of  rather  pleasing  * 
design,  and  was  evidently  placed  in  its  elevated  position  for  the  purpose  of 
lighting  the  old  three-decker  pulpit. 

Another  square-headed,  splayed  window,  without  tracery,  almost  cuts 
into  the  one  just  mentioned,  and  leaves  the  wall  so  weak  and  bulging  that 
it  appears  to  be  in  want  of  another  buttress. 

These  eccentric  windows,  together  with  the  large  oblong  one  before 
mentioned,  the  Norman  arch,  and  buttresses  all  placed  apparently  at  hap- 
hazard, in  defiance  of  all  rules  of  symmetry  or  order,  coming  where  one 
would  least  expect  them,  and  also  the  fact  that  the  wall  itself  has  been 
raised  at  different  periods,  showing  set-offs  at  various  heights,  give  to  this 
south  front  a  very  quaint,  not  to  say  uncouth,  appearance.  This  is, 
perhaps,  heightened  by  the  fact  that  the  chancel  is  of  modern  con- 
struction, and  contrasts  strangely  with  the  old  work.  The  original  appears 
to  have  been  of  plain,  fifteenth  century  character.  It  was  rebuilt  about  17 
years  ago,  from  designs  by  Messrs.  W.  &  J.  Hay,  the  eminent  Liverpool 
architects,  who,  while  very  successfully  reproducing  the  spirit  of  the 


156  THE  PARISH  CHURCH. 

ancient  work,  have  invested  it  with  an  extra  fulness  and  richness  of 
detail.  This  is  noticeable,  externally,  by  the  very  beautiful  examples  of 
perpendicular  tracery  in  the  south  and  east  windows.  This  latter  is  a  five- 
light  window,  with  angel  bosses  to  the  label  mould.  Adjoining  it  is  a 
three-light  window,  opening  into  what  was  formerly  known  as  the  Plumbe 
Chapel,  but  is  now  the  choir  vestry.  The  window  is  square-headed,  with 
the  upper  part  of  the  tracery  filled  in  solid.  The  masonry  surrounding  it 
is  rude  and  ancient,  and  bears  evidence  of  successive  alterations.  To  the 
north  of  this  again  is  a  two-light  window  of  modern  workmanship, 
lighting  the  vestry.  This  completes  the  east  front,  which,  with  its  three 
very  dissimilar  windows,  its  quaint  gables,  and  the  lean-to  of  the  vestry, 
with  battlemented  return,  forms  a  very  picturesque  bit,  rich  in  colour,  and 
pleasing  in  outline,  and  in  the  varied  lights  and  shadows  of  its  weather- 
worn buttresses.  Passing  round  to  the  north  side,  we  notice  that  the 
vestry  wall  shows  signs  of  former  alterations.  Indeed,  Mr.  Hogarth,  who 
has  been  associated  with  the  Church  for  considerably  more  than  half  a 
century,  and  relates  many  interesting  reminiscences  concerning  the  changes 
it  has  seen  during  his  time,  remembers  distinctly  the  vestry  window  being 
on  the  north  side,  and  the  charnel-house  standing  a  little  to  the  west, 
against  the  lower  part  of  the  tower.  "  When  we  were  lads,"  he  says,  "  we 
used  to  clamber  up  the  base  and  buttress  of  the  tower  to  peep  over  the 
coping,  and  look  down  at  the  heaps  of  bones  inside.  I  recollect  well 
seeing  several  skulls — two  or  three  with  the  hair  still  on  them."  Happily, 
this  state  of  things  no  longer  exists,  and  the  finely-moulded  base  of  the 
tower  is  free  from  all  obstruction.  At  about  the  height  of  45  feet  the 
tower  is  splayed  off  to  an  octagon,  and  has  a  two-light  louvred  belfry 
window  in  each  alternate  side,  and  a  clock  face  placed  above  the  arch  of 
each  window.  A  corbelled  and  moulded  parapet  completes  the  octagonal 
tower,  and  above  this  springs  the  spire,  reaching  altogether  to  a  height  of 
a  little  over  one  hundred  feet. 

The  north  aisle  projects  beyond  the  line  of  the  tower  base,  and  has 
evidently  been  built  at  a  subsequent  period.  The  wall  is  returned  against 
the  tower  buttress,  and  the  lower  part  of  the  west  buttress  and  base  have 


THE  PARISH  CHURCH.  157 


been  cut  away,  as  seen  in  the  interior.  The  windows  in  the  north  wall 
are  of  plain  Gothic  of  a  late  period,  the  masonry  rude,  and  bearing  signs 
of  having  been  whitewashed.  Many  of  the  jamb  stones  are  inscribed  with 
interesting  masons'  marks  in  the  shape  of  crosses,  initials,  triangles,  &c. 
The  north  doorway  exists  as  an  external  ornament  merely,  the  interior 
having  been  walled  up  more  than  forty  years  ago. 

The  west  front  consists  of  twin  gables,  old  and  weather-stained,  with 
buttresses  of  varying  profile,  and  set-offs  similar  to  those  on  the  south 
front.  The  windows  are  modern,  having  been  re-constructed  about  1876. 
That  to  the  nave  is  a  three-light  window,  in  the  perpendicular  style. 
Formerly,  a  circular  window  was  placed  above  this,  as  appears  by  the 
sketch  of  the  Church  in  "  Gregson's  Lancashire,"  and  the  position  may 
yet  be  traced  by  the  freshness  of  the  masonry  in  the  gable.  The  window 
to  the  north  aisle  has  four  lights,  and  more  elaborate  tracery  than  its 
fellow.  Above  it,  in  the  gable,  is  a  stone  with  sunk  enrichments,  evidently 
belonging  to  an  older  building.  A  similar  stone  is  to  be  seen  in  the 
churchyard. 

The  avenue  approaching  this  end  of  the  Church  appears  formerly  to 
have  been  the  western  boundary  of  the  churchyard,  only  a  few  yards 
intervening  between  the  west  end  of  the  Church  and  a  small  roadway 
leading  to  the  old  schoolhouse,  which  stood  near  the  south-west  corner  of 
the  present  yard.  A  small  flight  of  stone  steps  led  from  the  level  of  the 
churchyard  into  the  roadway.  Three  thatched  cottages  stood  between  the 
schoolhouse  and  the  road  leading  to  Holt  Green,  which,  at  that  time, 
came  with  a  sharp  turn  round  the  east  end  of  the  Church,  as  indicated  by 
the  stones  still  to  be  seen  in  the  churchyard.  The  road  was  only  about 
five  yards  wide,  and  a  flight  of  six  steps  ascended  from  it  to  the  level  of 
the  churchyard.  These  were  situated  about  due  south  of  the  chancel 
entrance. 

To  the  north-east  cf  the  vestry,  and  within  the  area  of  the  present 
churchyard,  stood,  in  former  years,  a  public-house  known  as  the  u  The 
Ring  o'  Bells."  Originally,  it  was  thatched,  but  in  1826  or  7,  the  roof 
was  stripped  and  a  club-room  built  upon  the  first  floor.  The  apple  tree 


158  THE  PARISH  CHURCH. 

and  lilac  still  growing  in  the  churchyard  were  formerly  in  the    garden 
attached  to  this  house. 

The  pedestal  of  the  sun-dial  is  modern,  but  the  dial-plate  is  dated 
1736.  From  the  top  of  the  three  steps  surrounding  it,  notices  were 
proclaimed  in  times  gone  by.  It  appears  to  have  been  the  custom  for  the 
clerk,  as  soon  as  the  services  were  ended,  to  hurry  from  the  Church  before 
the  parishioners,  and,  mounting  the  steps,  he  would  stand  with  his  back, 
to  the  sun-dial,  and  give  notice  to  the  effect  that  farmer  So-and-so  would 
kill  a  cow  on  such  a  day,  or  that  so  many  carts  would  be  wanted  at  a 
particular  spot  in  the  parish  at  such  a  time,  or  that  some  other  important 
rural  transaction  was  to  take  place. 

The  present  churchyard  has  three  entrances  of  varied  character — at 
the  south-east  corner  stands  a  lich  gate,  at  the  north-east,  an  ivy-covered 
archway,  and,  perhaps  more  picturesque  than  all,  the  west  end  is 
approached  by  a  small  gate  and  avenue  of  trees,  and  through  the  leafy 
vista,  glimpses  of  the  west  gables  of  the  Church  are  seen,  and  the  rectory 
trees  in  the  distance  complete  the  picture. 

For  so  ancient  a  Church  it  appears  strange  how  few  memorials  of  the 
past  are  preserved  in  the  churchyard.  There  is  scarcely  an  inscription 
dating  back  to  the  eighteenth  century,  and  no  record  whatever  of  the 
many  generations  laid  here  to  rest  before  that  time.  Not  even — 

"  Their  names,  their  years,  spelt  by  th'  unlettered  muse, 
The  place  of  fame  and  elegy  supply." 

One  memorial  connected  with  their  life  and  labours  alone  remains :  the 
grey,  venerable  edifice  in  which  they  met  to  worship.  As  Ruskin  says  : 
"  They  have  taken  with  them  to  the  grave,  their  powers,  their  honours, 
and  their  errors  ;  but  they  have  left  us  their  adoration." 

There  are  two  small  brass  tablets  in  the  interior,  one  belonging  to  the 
i  yth  and  one  to  the*  i8th  century.  These,  together  with  the  modern 
marble  tablets,  and  the  canopied  tombstone  in  the  chancel  by  Westmacott, 
have  already  been  described  ;  but  the  Church  is  singularly  destitute  of 
ancient  monuments,  and  also  of  stained  glass.  There  are  a  few  bits  of  this 
latter  in  the  tracery  of  the  north  aisle  windows,  containing  the  letters  L.E. 
and  L.O.  joined  by  a  sort  of  true  lover's  knot. 


THE  PARISH  CHURCH.  159 

One  of  the  characteristic  features  of  the  Church  is  the  great  width  of 
the  north  aisle,  which  produces  in  the  interior  the  effect  of  a  dual  nave, 
rather  than  a  nave  and  aisle.  This,  together  with  the  plaster  barrel  arches 
spanning  each,  gives  to  the  Church  a  rather  dwarfed  appearance.  This 
is  emphasized  again  by  the  gallery,  which  is  squeezed  in  over  the  west  end 
of  the  nave,  and  also  by  the  height  of  the  pew  framing. 

If  a  scheme,  once  suggested  by  the  architects  of  the  chancel,  to  do 
away  with  the  plaster  vault  and  expose  the  open  timber  work  of  the  roof — 
also  to  lower  the  level  of  the  floor,  and  substitute  open  benches  for  the 
pew  framing — were  carried  out,  it  would  certainly  give  the  \ Church  an 
appearance  of  airiness  and  .loftiness  it  at  present  distinctly  lacks. 

None  of  these  objectionable  features  have  even  the  sanctity  of  age  to 
plead  for  them.  The  roof  was  not  ceiled  until  1826,  and  Mr.  Hogarth 
remembers  well  the  erection  of  the  pews,  which  was  done  piece-meal,  here 
and  there,  over  the  Church,  until  nearly  all  the  old  oak  benches  were 
removed. 

The  font  (being  an  ancient  disused  one  restored)  formerly  stood  in 
the  north  aisle;  the  position  being  still  indicated  by  the  hook  in  the 
ceiling  from  which  the  cover  was  suspended.  Its  present  position,  and 
picturesque  surroundings  under  the  tower,  is  shown  in  the  accompanying 
sketch.  This,  to  have  been  complete,  should  certainly  have  included  the 
ringers,  who  are  to  be  seen  before  each  service  standing  round  the  font  in 

their  shirt  sleeves, 

"  Keeping  time,  time,  time, 
In  a  sort  of  runic  rhyme." 

The  sight  has  a  rural  and  primitive  aspect  about  it  that  savours 
strongly  of  the  good  old  times,  and  is  rarely  now  so  fully  and  freely  to  be 
seen  in  our  churches. 

The  face  of  the  old  rood  beam,  with  its  inscription,1  dated  1714,  and 
the  royal  arms  and  tables,  when  taken  down  in  1876  from  their  original 
position  across  the  western  end  of  the  chancel,  were  placed  at  the  east  end 
of  the  north  aisle.  This  shows  a  proper  consideration,  and  was  perhaps 
the  best  thing  to  do  with  them. 


FONT  AND  BELFRY,  PARISH  CHURCH. 


THE  PARISH  CHURCH.  161 

Several  of  the  carved  wooden  angels  from  the  old  chancel  are,  it  is 
said,  still  in  existence.  Angels  bearing  shields,  beautifully  carved  in  stone, 
now  take  their  place,  and  support  four  of  the  principals  of  the  chancel 
roof.  The  intermediate  principals  spring  from  stone  corbels  carved  with 
foliage.  A  deep  pitch  pine  cornice,  with  carved  quatre-foils,  surmounts 
the  stone  walls  of  the  chancel.  The  purlins,  spars,  and  diagonal  boarding 
are  all  exposed,  and  arched  pieces  are  fitted  in  longitudinally  between  the 
principals,  giving  the  roof  a  rich  appearance. 

Several  old  panels  record  the  names  of  former  rectors,  curates,  and 
churchwardens,  many  of  them  dating  from  the  last  century. 

As  we  turn  to  leave  we  see  several  points  of  interest  which  have 
escaped  our  notice — as,  for  instance,  the  ancient  canopied  niche  in  the 
window  splay  near  the  pulpit  ;  but  we  have  already  lingered  too  long. 
The  April  evening  is  closing  in,  and  we  bid  good-bye  to  the  darkening 
Church.  Passing  through  the  stone-seated  porch,  the  pleasant-looking 
rectory,  with  its  enclosing  trees,  lies  before  us,  now  brightened  by  the 
after-glow  from  the  west.  Turning  round  by  the  east  end,  now  in  deep 
shadow,  we  leave  the  churchyard  by  the  ivied  archway,  and,  crossing  the 
road,  we  follow  the  path  across  the  meadow.  On  our  right  the  grey 
gables  and  dormers  of  the  schoolhouse  and  almshouses  are  seen  among  the 
trees.  The  twilight  is  fast  fading,  but  before  reaching  the  stile  we  turn 
towards  the  west  for  a  parting  glance  at  the  venerable  edifice  we  have  just 
left.  Grey  and  purple  mists  gather  over  the  Beckingston  meadows  and 
the  flat  lands  of  Lydiate  beyond  The  old  Church  stands  darkly  outlined 
against  the  pale  glow  of  the  April  twilight,  quiet  and  impressive.  No 
detail  is  visible,  but  broadly  and  vaguely  the  lights  and  shadows  are 
massed.  The  scene  in  its  essentials  belongs  to  the  past,  and  we  appear  to 
look  back  into  the  silent  ages  over  which  the  ancient  fabric  stands  as  a 
sentinel.  We  hear  again  the  curfew  sound  from  the  belfry  as  in  the  ages 
long  ago,  and  we  see,  as  in  a  vision,  all  the  drama  of  life  and  death  that 
these  stones  have  witnessed,  and  listen  to  the  oft-recurring  tolling  of  the 
bells,  speaking  of  warfare  finished  and  lest  from  labour. 


CHRIST      CHURCH. 


OBLY  BUILT,"  like  Athens,  or 
like  Mount  Zion,  ':  beautiful  for 
situation,"  is  the  thought  which 
naturally  arises  to  the  mind  in  approach- 
ing from  north  or  south,  our  fair  and 
stately  temple  on  the  hill.  Its  com- 
manding tower  is  visible  for  many  miles, 
From  Everton  hill,  from  Knowsley  Park, 
from  Crosby  shore,  from  far  out  at  sea. 
we  see  it  looming  above  the  grey  horizon, 
an  interesting  and  conspicuous  object  in 
the  distance. 

As  we  approach  we  find  that,  archi- 
tecturally, it  is  admirably  adapted  for 
the  position  it  occupies.  Its  vigorous  tower,  buttressed  and  pinnacled, 
appears  to  defy  the  storms  that  sweep  unopposed  from  the  silver  line  of 
sea  that  edges  the  horizon,  over  the  broad  expanse  of  level  country  ;  and 
its  bells  from  their  exalted  station  ring  out  their  message  far  and  wide,  the 
melody  now  meeting  and  commingling  with  the  chimes  from  the  mother 
Church,  now  joining  in  sweet  concert  with  the  music  from  the  ancient 
bells  of  Ormskirk. 

The  building,  which  is  a  chapel  of  ease  to  the  parish  Church,  was 
erected  from  the  designs  of  Messrs.  W.  &  J.  Hay.  The  foundation  stone 
was  laid  on  March  26th,  1867,  but  it  was  not  until  May  4th,  1877,  that 
the  Church  was  consecrated. 

It  is  built  mostly  of  local  stone,  and  is  designed  in  the  late  decorated 
style  of  Gothic — a  period  when  the  tracery  was  losing  its  geometric 
character,  and  its  lines  becoming  more  free  and  flowing.  The  Church  is 


CHRIST  CHURCH.  163 


approached  from  the  Liverpool  road  by  a  short  walk  and  flight  of  steps. 
The  principal  entrance  is  in  the  lower  stage  of  the  tower,  which  stands  at 
the  west  end  of  the  nave.  We  enter  by  a  spacious  vestibule,  lighted  by 
two  stained-glass  windows  depicting  subjects  connected  with  the  birth  of 
our  Saviour.  Opposite  the  entrance  a  doorway  leads  into  the  centre  of 
the  nave,  and  a  small  door  to  the  right  gives  access  to  the  gallery,  the 
belfry,  and  tower. 

The  gallery  front  is  of  stone,  with  carved  circular  panels  and  moulded 
corbels.  A  fine  archway  spans  the  front,  beyond  which  is  seen  the  four- 
light  west  window,  its  beautiful  tracery  filled  in  with  stained  glass. 

The  font  is  placed  at  the  west  end  of  the  south  aisle.  It  is  of  Caen 
stone,  with  marble  column  supports,  and  is  surrounded  with  sculptured 
panels  representing  Noah  and  the  Ark,  the  Israelites  crossing  the  Red 
Sea,  Christ's  baptism,  and  Christ  blessing  little  children. 

Clustered  columns,  with  caps  carved  with  naturalistic  foliage,  support 
the  arches  between  the  nave  and  aisles.  The  label  mould  above  the 
arches  is  terminated  by  bosses  of  carved  foliage. 

An  open  timber  roof  of  pitch  pine  spans  the  nave,  each  alternate 
principal  of  which  springs  from  a  stone  corbel  in  the  spandril  of  the  arches. 
The  corbels  are  carved  with  figures  representing  the  twelve  Apostles,  each 
distinguished  by  an  appropriate  emblem.  At  the  springing  of  the  inter- 
mediate principals  are  full  length  figures  of  angels,  ten  in  number,  bearing 
musical  instruments.  The  walls  of  the  interior  are  lined  with  ashlar  ;  the 
floor  is  laid  with  tiles.  The  benches  are  of  oak,  and  in  each  bench  end  is 
a  circular  panel  filled  with  a  geometric  pattern,  or  other  device — no  two  of 
them  being  alike.  The  eagle  lectern  is  of  oak  ;  and  the  pulpit  of  Caen 
stone,  with  marble  shafts  to  the  columns,  and  panels  carved  in  alabaster. 
7  he  centre  panel  represents  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount,  and  the  adjoining 
ones  St.  Paul  preaching  at  Athens,  and  the  preaching  of  St.  John  the 
Baptist.  In  the  remaining  panels  are  carved  symbols  of  the  passion.  At 
the  angles  of  the  pulpit  are  carved  the  symbols  of  the  Evangelists — the 
Angel,  the  Lron,  the  Bull,  and  the  Eagle. 


1 64  CHRIST  CHURCH. 

The  chancel  rises  three  steps  above  the  nave,  and  is  approached 
through  a  lofty  arch  springing  from  columns  with  richly  carved  capitals. 

The  roof  is  of  pitch  pine,  and  is  carried  on  arched  principals  springing 
from  short  marble  columns,  under  which  are  carved  stone  corbels,  the 
sculptured  forms  representing  the  Christian  graces  and  virtues.  The  three 
alternate  principals  spring  from  carved  full-length  figures  of  angels, 
corresponding  to  those  in  the  nave  ;  these,  however,  being  in  attitudes  of 
devotion,  indicative  of  Prayer,  the  others,  with  their  musical  instruments, 
representing  Praise. 

The  chancel  walls  are  surmounted  by  a  stone  corbel-table,  and  above 
this  is  a  broad  band  of  open  pitch  pine  tracery,  above  which  are  curved 
cross-pieces,  with  traceried  spandrils  fitted  in  between  the  principals,  giving 
a  full  and  rich  effect  to  the  roof. 

There  are  three  windows  in  the  south  wall  of  the  chancel,  and  corres- 
ponding to  these  are  three  arches  in  the  north  wall.  The  first  of  these 
opens  into  the  organ  chamber.  The  others  are  filled  in  with  marble  panels 
inscribed  with  the  Commandments,  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and  the  Apostles' 
Creed. 

The  east  window  contains  a  very  beautiful  example  of  flowing  tracery. 
It  is  filled  in  with  stained  glass,  depicting  scenes  from  the  Passion  and 
Resurrection  of  our  Lord.  Beneath  this  the  beautiful  reredos  extends 
from  side  to  side  of  the  chancel.  It  consists  of  a  series  of  arches,  richly 
moulded  and  cusped,  springing  from  short  columns  with  red  and  green 
marble  shafts.  At  each  intersection  is  the  figure  of  an  angel  rising  against 
a  richly  traceried  and  moulded  background.  The  panels  are  filled  with 
sculpture  in  white  alabaster :  the  principal  one  representing  Christ 
appearing  to  His  disciples  ;  that  on  the  left  hand  side,  The  Journey  to 
Emmaus  ;  that  to  the  right,  The  Commission  to  St.  Peter  ;  and  on  the 
two  end  panels  are  represented  the  Agnus  Dei  and  the  pelican  feeding  her 
young  with  the  blood  drawn  from  her  breast,  emblematical  from  the 
earliest  ages  of  the  atonement.  The  carving  was  executed  by  Mr.  Rogerson 
of  Liverpool,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  stained  glass  work  by  Messrs. 


CHRIST  CHURCH.  165 


Wailes  &  Strang  of  Ne\vcastle-on-Tyne.  The  beautiful  peal  of  bells  is 
the  work  of  Messrs.  Warner  &  Sons,  the  celebrated  bell  founders  of 
London.  Attached  to  the  peal  is  a  chiming  apparatus,  by  which  the 
changes  may  be  rung  by  a  single  person.  Several  of  the  bells  are  inscribed 
with  the  names  of  the  donors. 

The  first  peal  was  rung  on  September  igth,  1878.  The  churchyard 
has  never  been  enclosed,  nor  a  satisfactory  organ  provided.  These 
deficiencies,  however,  are  in  a  fair  way  of  being  rectified,  and  soon  we 
hope  to  see  the  architectural  character  of  the  Church  as  complete  on  the 
outside  as  it  is  in  the  interior  ;  and,  as  on  approaching  the  Church  we 
hear  with  delight  the  wild  cadence  of  the  bells  resounding  through  the 
"  windy  halls  of  heaven,"  so,  on  entering,  we  may  listen  with  equal  delight 
to  the  answering  voice  of  the  deep-toned  organ,  filling  the  sacred 
enclosure  with  its  richer  and  fuller  melody. 


LIST   OF   SUBSCRIBERS. 


M 


LIST    OF    SUBSCRIBERS. 


ANDERTON,  Dr.,  M.R.C.P.,  Mansion  House,  Qrmskirk./-    ,\ 
APPLETON,  Rev.  R.,  Trinity  College,  Cambridge. 
ATKINSON,  Rev.  C.  CHETWYND,  M.A.,  Ashton-upon-Mersey. 
ANDREWS,  WM.,  F.R.H.S.,  The  Hull  Press,  Hull. 
ATKINSON,  Miss,  The  Quarry,  Aughton. 
ALTY,  CHARLES  RIXTON,  Artigas,  Aughton. 
ASPINWALL,  Mrs.  JANE,  The  Mossock,  Bickerstaffe. 
AGNEW,  ERNEST  F.,  Bank  of  England,  Liverpool. 

BLUNDELL,  Rev.  Canon  T.  B.  H.,  M.A.,  Halsall. 

BRIDGEMAN,   Hon.   and   Rev.   Canon,   M.A.,   The   Hall,   Wigan. 

BARTLETT,   Rev.   F.  A.,  M.A.,   22,  Great  George  Square,   Liverpool. 

BRIGHOUSE,  SAMUEL,  Derby  Street,  Ormskirk. 

BALL,  JOHN,  Church  Street,  Ormskirk. 

BALL,  THOMAS,  Derby  Street,  Ormskirk. 

BROWN,   HUGH,   Bucklay   House,   Mossley   Hill,   Liverpool. 

BALDWIN,  EDWARD,   120,  Chatham  Street,  Liverpool. 

BREEZE,   S.,    II,   Tower  Chambers,   Liverpool. 

BICKERSTETH,   Dr.   E.   R.,   F.R.C.S.,   2,   Rodney  Street,   Liverpool. 

BARTLETT,  WM.,   Highfield   House,   Knotty  Ash,   Liverpool. 

BATESON,  T.   BLAIKIE,   33,  Exchange  Alley,   Liverpool. 

BARON,   T.   A.,   103,   Shrewsbury   Road,   Wavertree,   Liverpool. 

BANNER,  J.  S.   HARMOOD,  24,  South  John  Street,  Liverpool. 

BROOKS,   Miss,   5,   Croxteth   Grove,   Sefton    Park,   Liverpool. 

BROMLEY,   JAMES,    The   Homestead,   Lathom. 

BROMFIELD,   S.,   66,   Shrewsbury   Road,   Oxton.  j 

BELL,  MILES,  Holly  Cottage,  Aughton. 

BLUNDELL,  G.  W.  Meadowcroft,  Aughton. 

BRIGHOUSE,  HENRY,  Moss  End  House,  Aughton. 

BRIGHOUSE,  LUKE,  The  Chesnuts,  Aughton. 

BRIGHOUSE,  Mrs.,  The  Cottage,  Aughton. 

BEHN,  JNO.   F.,  Clieve's  Hills  House,  Aughton. 

BLAND,   Mrs.    Springwood,   Aughton. 

BEESTON,  C.   S.,  Long  Lane,  Aughton. 

BARRY,  CHARLES,  J.P.,  Highfield,  Lathom. 

BALL,  GEORGE   H.,   15,  Gambier  Terrace,  Liverpool. 


170  LIST  OF  SUBSCRIBERS. 

CARLISLE,  The  Lord  Bishop  of,  Rose  Castle,  Carlisle. 
CLARKE,  Rev.   B.   S.,  D.D.,  Walmer   House,   Southport. 
COCHRANE,   Rev.  J.   H.  D.,  M.A.,  Liscard. 
COXON,   Mrs.,   Corbridge-on-Tyne. 
CULBARD,  A.   D.   FORDYCE,   Ainsdale. 
CLARKE,  W.  J.,  20,  Water  Street,   Liverpool. 
CORNISH,  A.  W.,  37,   Lord  Street,   Liverpool. 
COPELAND,   HY.,   ii,   Tower  Chambers,   Liverpool. 
COOKE,  GEORGE,  Aughton  Springs,  Aughton. 
COOKE,   W.   H.,  Aughton    Springs,  Aughton. 
CLAMP,  F.  STANLEY,  Granville  Park,  Aughton. 

DERBY,  The  Earl  of,  K.G.,   Knowsley   Hall. 
DICKINSON,  ALFRED,  Hillside  House,  Aughton. 
DICKINSON,   Mrs.,   Whimbrick   House,   Aughton. 
DRAPER,  DANIEL,   Parr's   Lane,  Aughton. 

ESPIN,   Rev.   T.   E.,   D.D.,  Walsingham   Rectory,   Darlington. 
EDWARDS,  Rev.  R.  de  C.,  The   Rectory,   Lutterworth. 
EARWAKER,  JOHN  P.,  M.A.,  F.S.A.,  Pensarn,  North  Wales. 
ESHELBY,   H.   DOUGLAS,  F.S.A.,   24,   Park   Road   South,   Birkenhead. 
ELSMORE,  S.   COCHRANE,  Leeswood,  Waterloo  Park. 
EASTWOOD,  FRED.,  3,  Mellor  Road,  Oxton. 
EVANS,  EDWARD,  Brookfield   Lane,  Aughton. 

FORWOOD,   Right   Hon.   A.   B.,   J.P.,   M.P.,   Gateacre,   Liverpool. 

FEILDEN,   Rev.  G.   R.,  M.A.,  Lower  Bebington. 

FIELD,   Rev.  THOMAS,   Bigby   Rectory,  Brigg,   Lincolnshire. 

FORMBY,   R.,   Kirklake,   Formby. 

FAIR,   Mrs.,  Trenchfield,  Aughton. 

FAIRCLOUGH,  J.  STANLEY,  Elderslie,  Aughton. 

FAIRCLOUGH,  J.  STANLEY,  Junr.,  Crosby. 

FLETCHER,  JAMES,   The  Mill,  Aughton. 

FENTON,  THOMAS,  Town   Green. 

GREEN,   REV.   V.  T.,    Littlemore   Vicarage,   Oxford. 

GlTTENS,   W.   H.,  Lydiate   Cottage,   Lydiate. 

GREGSON,   W.  E.,  43,  fMoor   Lane,   Great   Crosby. 

GORDON,   Dr.*J.    F.,   Maghull. 

GREEN,  ROBERT  F.,  Waterloo. 

GLASS,   JOHN    D..   Beulah,   Blundellsands. 


LIST  OF  SUBSCRIBERS.  171 

GRINDROD,   C.   B.,  Woodstock   Villa.   Town   Green. 
GARDINER,   F.   W.    M.,   Normanhurst,    Ruff  Lane,   Ormskirk. 

HAWKINS,   Lady,   Kelston   Lodge,   Oxford. 

HOPE,   Rev.   C.   A.,   Barwick    Rectory,   Leeds. 

HENDERSON,  W.   G.,   Liverpool   Union   Bank. 

HILL,  CHARLES,  The   Firs,   Lathom. 

HOCTER,   Rev.  J.   FRANCIS,  M.A.,   Maghull. 

HEALD,   Dr.   HUGH,   Derby   Street,   Ormskirk. 

HOLDER,   THOMAS,   J.P.,   32,   Ullet   Road,   Prince's   Park,  Liverpool. 

HERON,   Mrs.,   Rathfriland. 

HARRIOT,    T.,    2,   Elm    Place,   South   Kensington,    London,   S.W. 

HORNBY,   H.   B.,   6,   Montpellier   Crescent,   New   Brighton. 

HARRISON,  THOMAS,   Cranmore,   Waterloo. 

HARRISON,   JAMES,   Park   Avenue,   Mossley   Hill. 

HARRISON,   Miss   ANN,   Woodlands,   Crompton's   Lane,   Wavertree. 

HARRISON,  JOHN,  The  Dingle,  Aughton. 

HARRISON,  WILLIAM,   The   Dingle,  Aughton. 

HARRISON,   G.   J.,   The   Dingle,   Aughton. 

HELY,   Capt.   J.    SWIFT,   Spring   Bank,   Aughton. 

HoOTON,   JAMES   S.,   Granville    Park,   Aughton. 

HOLME,  GEO.,  Moor   Hall,  Aughton. 

HOWARD,  THOMAS,  New  Road,  Aughton. 

BUTTON,  W.  LEAK,  Moss  Bank,  Aughton. 

HOLT,  ALFRED,   Crofton,  Aigburth,  Liverpool. 

HAZELL,   JNO.   F.,   Liverpool   Union   Bank. 

HOLME,  GEOFFREY  G.,  c/o  George  Holme,  Moor   Hall,  Aughton. 

ISAACSON,   JOHN,   Liverpool   Union   Bank,   Bold   Street   Branch. 

JONES,  Rev.   DONALD,  The  College,   Lichfield. 

JONES,  ALPHAEUS,  64,  Victoria  Street,   Liverpool. 

JONES,   DAVID,   7,   Halkyn   Avenue,   Toxteth   Park,   Liverpool. 

JOHNSON,  ALFRED,  28,  Paradise  Street,  Liverpool. 

KAY,   THOMAS   S.,   53,   Trinity   Road,   Bootle. 

KARSLAKE,   Mrs.   W.   H.,   Kingsland   House,   Carlisle   Road,   Eastbourne. 

KRUGER-VELTHUSEN,  H.,  Victoria  College,  Bingen. 

KENNEDY,  DODGSON,  Lanercost,  Aughton. 

LATHOM,  The  Earl  of,  G.C.B.,  Lathom  House. 
LISTER,  JAMES,  J.P.,  Basil  Grange,  West  Derby. 
LEE-JONES,  Rev.  T.  T.,  M.A.,  Grammar  School,  Ormskirk. 


172  LIST  OF  SUBSCRIBERS. 

LENNON,  Rev.  JOHN  J.,  Weld  Bank,  Chorley. 

LE  PAN,  Capt.  H.  C.  P.,  Auckland,  New  Zealand. 

LITTLE,  Mrs.,  Dilston-New-Town,  Corbridge-on-Tyne. 

LEES,  J.  N.,  Long  Lane,  Aughton. 

LlVESEY,  JOHN,  Holt  House,  Aughton. 

LEA,  GEORGE,  Townend,  Aughton. 

LESTER,  Rev.  Canon  T.  MAJOR,  M.A.,  294,  Netherfield  Road  N.,  Liverpool. 

LlGHTBOUND,  RANDAL,  Oswald  Court,  Ormskirk. 

MARKHAM,  Rev.  C.  W.,  M.A.,  The  Rectory,  Aughton. 

MARKHAM,  Mrs.,  The  Rectory,  Aughton. 

MEDCALF,  THOMAS,  Daisy  Bank,  Aughton. 

MEDCALF,  JOHN,   Hazelhurst,  Aughton. 

MEDCALF,   Mrs.,   Mayfield,   Aughton. 

MOUNT,   EDWARD,   Oaklands,   Aughton. 

MARSHALL,  JAMES,   Alma  Lodge,  Aughton. 

MELLOR,   JOHN,   Junr.,   Granville   Park,  Aughton. 

MCCARTHY,  JOHN,  Granville  Park,   Aughton. 

MASON,   Mrs.,   New   Road,   Aughton. 

MASSEY,   Mrs.,   Elmsfield,   Aughton. 

MORRISON,   Dr.   WM.,   Rathfriland. 

McK-AY,   JOHN,   Liverpool   Union    Bank. 

MOORE,   D.   INMAN,   23,   Sandown   Lane,   Wavertree. 

MEWBURN,   Colonel  JOHN,    Myrtle,   Sidmouth. 

MAY,   WM.,   Free   Library,   Birkenhead. 

MONTGOMERY,  JOHN,  Junr.,  Rowson  Street,  New  Brighton. 

NOTTINGHAM,   The   Bishop  of,   Leasingham,   Sleaford. 
NEALE,  WILLIAM,  Long  Lane,   Aughton. 
NEWSTEAD,   THOMAS,   Netherbank   Cottage,   Largs. 
NEWSTEAD,  GEO.  LE   PAN,  Swanpool  Lane,  Aughton. 
NEWSTEAD,  HARRY  LE  PAN,  Swanpool  Lane,  Aughton. 

PATTISON,  Rev.  A.  B.,  Aughton. 

PILKINGTON,   Lieut.-Colonel  JOHN,    Rookwood,   Sandown    Park,   Wavertree. 

POWELL,   Rev.  EDWARD,   Lydiate. 

PRIESTLEY,   W.   H.,   15,   Alton    Road,   Oxton. 

PRIESTLEY,  J.  V.,   19,   Gambier  Terrace,   Liverpool. 

PAGET,   T.   E.,  The   Mount,   8,   Elmswood   Road,   Aigburth. 

PATERSON,  J.   BARR,  Crosby  House,  Great  Crosby. 

PARR,   Miss,   Ellerbrook,   Lathom. 


LIST  OF  SUBSCRIBERS. 


PIPPET,   C.   E.,   Hilbre,   Mayfield   Road,   Wallasey. 
PEET,    HENRY,    97,    Mount    Pleasant,    Liverpool. 
PRESCOTT,  WILLIAM,  6,   Exchange  Alley,  Liverpool. 
PYE,  WILLIAM,  2,   Broad  Green   Road,  Old  Swan. 
PECK,   Dr.   HERBERT,   Wigan    Road,   Ormskirk. 
PHILLIPS,   JOHN,   Belmont,   Aughton. 
POTTER,  WILLIAM,  Granville  Park,  Aughton. 
PEARCE,  ALEXANDER,  Granville   Park,   Aughton. 
PEARCE,   HENRY,   The   Quarry,   Aughton. 
PRESCOTT,   Miss   ANN,   Birches   Brow,   Aughton. 
PRESCOTT.  WEBSTER,  Birches  Brow,  Aughton. 
PARKER,   T.   S.,   Prescot   Road,   Aughton. 
PATTINSON,  J.  R.,  Edge  Lane,  Liverpool. 

RYLE,  Right  Rev.  J.  C.,  Bishop  of  Liverpool,  The  Palace,  Abercromby  Square 

RIGBY,   Rev.  WM.   BEDE,  St.  Anne's,  Aughton. 

RlPLEY,   RICHARD,   Pygons   Hill    House,    Lydiate. 

REDGE,   JOHN   W.,  9,  Redcross  Street,  Liverpool. 

RATCLIFFE,   EDMUND   MOLYNEUX,   Fernhurst,  Aughton. 

RATCLIFFE,   Miss   MABEL   M.,   Fernhurst,  Aughton. 

RATCLIFFE,   Miss   EDITH   F.,   Fernhurst,  Aughtonl 

RATCLIFFE,   Mrs.   HERBERT,   65,   Russian    Drive,  Green    Lane,   Liverpool. 

RIDING,   HENRY,   Aughton   Street,  Ormskirk. 

ROBINSON,   DAVID,   Liverpool   Union   Bank. 

SPOONER,   Rev.  G.    HARDWICK,  M.A.,  The   Rectory,  Woolton. 

STEWART,   Rev.    R.   B.,   Hale   Vicarage. 

SNOW,   Rev.  ALFRED,  St.   Mary's,  Aughton. 

SHAWE,   Mrs.   JAMES,   Asmall   House,   Scarisbrick. 

SADLER,  J.   M.,   Kennessee   Green,   Maghull. 

SYMONDS,   C.   P.,  J.P.,   The   Hall,   Ormskirk. 

STONER,  THOMAS,  Market  Cross  House,  Ormskirk. 

SMITH,   TOM   C.,   F.R.H.S.,   Longridge,  near   Preston. 

SEDDON,   Mrs.  C.  TUDOR,   Rose   Place,  Aughton. 

SEDDON,  ROBERT,  West  Tower,  Aughton. 

SMITH,  J.   HESKETH,  Long  Lane,  Aughton. 

SEPHTON,  JAMES,  Bold  Lane,  Aughton. 

SKELLAND,   HENRY,  Thorn   Tree  Cottage,   Brookfield   Lane,  Aughton. 

SUTTON,  CHARLES   W.,   Free   Reference   Library,   Manchester. 

STUBBS,   LUCAS   P.,   Mount   Road,  New  Brighton. 

SHAW,  GILES,  F.R.H.S.,  72,  Manchester   Road,  Oldham. 


i74  LIST  OF  SUBSCRIBERS. 

TEMPEST,   Sir   ROBT.   T.,   Bart.,   Tong    Hall,   Drighlington,   Bradford. 

THORNELY,  JAMES  L.,  5,   Fenwick  Street,  Liverpool. 

THOMAS,   Mrs.   ARTHUR,   Strathmore,  Sheffield. 

THOMPSON,  JAMES,  63,   Lord  Street,   Liverpool. 

TRICKETT,   Mrs.,   Sandy   Mount,   Aughton. 

TAYLOR,  W.  G.,  Smithy   Lane,  Aughton. 

TUNSTALL.   Mrs.,   Long   Lane,   Aughton. 

TARDREW,   THOS.   H.,  Wavertree   Nook,  Wavertree. 

VAN  GRUISEN,   N.   L.,  Junr.,   Locksley,   Maghull. 
VALENTINE,   Mrs.,  Sandhurst,   Knock,  Co.   Down. 

WooSNAM,   Rev.   C.   M.,   7,   Riversdale   Road,   Aigburth. 

WOODROW,   Rev.   J.   E.,   Ormskirk. 

WARBURTON,   Rev.   W.,   Altcar   Vicarage,   Formby. 

WYLIE,   Rev.   W.  J.,   Horkston   Vicarage,   Barton-on-Humber. 

WELSBY,  Colonel  WM.,  J.P.,  The  Grange,  Southport. 

WlTHlNGTON,   T.   ELLAMES,  J.P.,   Culcheth   Hall,   Warrington. 

WOOD,   R.   P.,   J.P.,   Bank  House,   Maghull. 

WlCKHAM,  W.,   M.P.,  Binsted   Wyck,   Alton,   Hants. 

WARLOW,   THOMAS,   23,   Parkfield    Road,   Anfield,   Liverpool. 

WILLIAMS,   THOMAS,   Liverpool   Union    Bank,  London    Road   Branch. 

WOODWARD,   T.   BLAKE,  Waterloo   Park,   Waterloo. 

WATSON,   JAMES,   Liverpool   Union    Bank. 

WINDER,  LEONARD,   Derby  Street,  Ormskirk. 

WAINWRIGHT,  Jos.,   Moor  Street,   Ormskirk. 

WARD,   Mrs.,   20,   Parkfield,   New   Ferry. 

WANNOP,  A.   E.,  9,   Cook   Street,   Liverpool. 

WALTHEW,  Mrs.,   Granville   Park,   Aughton. 

WALTHEW,  JAMES  B.,  Granville  Park,  Aughton. 

WALTHEW,  WILLIAM,  Vine  Cottage,  Aughton. 

WEBSTER,  THOMAS,  c.c.,  Melling. 

WALKER,  GEO.  B.,  Springfield,  Aughton. 

WALKER.  WILLIAM,  Granville   Park,  Aughton. 

WARLOW,  GEO.   E.,   Swan  pool   Lane,  Aughton. 

WOODS,  JAMES,  Gerrard   Hall,   Aughton. 

WELSBY,   Mrs.,  Swanpool  House,   Aughton. 

WlDDOWSON,   Miss,   Red   Beech   House,   Aughton. 

WARLOW,  CHARLES,  61,  Aughton  Street,  Ormskirk. 

YOUNG,  HENRY  SELDEN,  7,  Lome  Road,  Waterloo. 
YOUNG,  HENRY  &  SON,  12,  South  Castle  Street,  Liverpool. 


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